When a film doesn’t just release but arrives like a storm, it tends to leave traces far beyond the cinema hall. The Bengal Files, the newest work from director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, has done precisely that. Completing his ambitious “Files Trilogy” after The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files, this movie is not merely a story but an attempt to pull the curtain back on chapters of history many feel have long been neglected.
With a runtime of over three hours, a prominent ensemble cast, and controversy at every turn, the film has quickly become one of the most talked-about releases of 2025. But what is it really about, and why has it caused such heated debate?
Revisiting Forgotten History
At its core, The Bengal Files sets out to explore events from the turbulent 1940s, most notably Direct Action Day, also known as the Great Calcutta Killings, and the Noakhali riots. These episodes, marked by communal violence, are portrayed through the film as moments of mass tragedy for Bengal’s Hindu population.
The story, however, doesn’t stay locked in the past. It begins with a modern-day CBI officer investigating the disappearance of a journalist. This investigation unravels into layers of buried history, raising questions about truth, memory, and selective silence.
A Cast That Commands Attention
One reason the film has captured interest is its striking lineup of performers. Veteran actors Mithun Chakraborty and Anupam Kher share screen space with Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, and Simratt Kaur. Interestingly, Kher plays Mahatma Gandhi, a casting choice that has sparked much conversation. Bengali actors Saswata Chatterjee and Sourav Das also lend authenticity, grounding the story in the soil of Bengal itself.
This diverse cast ensures that the narrative moves with intensity, alternating between personal anguish and larger historical drama.
Why the Controversy?
Even before its release, The Bengal Files was wrapped in disputes. The Central Board of Film Certification approved it, but once theatres were set to screen it in West Bengal, many pulled back. Director Agnihotri alleged political pressure on theatre owners, leading to what some have called an “unofficial ban.”
The matter even reached the courts. A petition asking for censorship of the film was dismissed by the Calcutta High Court, reinforcing its right to be shown. Yet, the situation highlighted how sensitive historical interpretations can become when mixed with present-day politics.
Public Reaction and Critical Response
Reactions have been mixed but passionate. Supporters of the film call it raw, bold, and necessary, an attempt to shed light on episodes not often portrayed in mainstream media. They praise the performances, especially the emotional intensity brought by Pallavi Joshi and the restrained strength of Mithun Chakraborty.
Critics, however, accuse the film of leaning into distortion and propaganda, warning that the past is too complex to be told in black-and-white terms. The length of the film, at 204 minutes, has also been a talking point, ambitious for some, exhausting for others.
At the box office, the movie opened strong but soon slowed down, facing stiff competition from big-budget films. Still, its cultural impact seems to outweigh its commercial numbers.
Why You Should Pay Attention
Whether one agrees with its perspective or not, The Bengal Files has managed what very few films do: it has forced conversations. It compels audiences to look back at events from nearly eighty years ago and ask why they aren’t more openly discussed. It invites both curiosity and discomfort, making viewers rethink what they know, or think they know, about Bengal’s history.
It’s also a reminder that cinema in India is not only entertainment; it often acts as a mirror, a battleground, and sometimes even a classroom. Watching this film is less about passive viewing and more about engaging with a layered and complicated narrative.
Final Thoughts
The Bengal Files is not a film that slips quietly into the background. It is designed to stir, to unsettle, and to ignite dialogue. Whether you leave the theatre in agreement or disagreement, you will likely leave with questions lingering in your mind.
Perhaps that is its real achievement, not just retelling history, but making people curious enough to explore it further.
So, if you find yourself wondering what really happened in Bengal during those turbulent years, or if you want to witness how a modern filmmaker reimagines those events, this film may be the spark that sets you on that journey.
