Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has hit out at West Bengal authorities after the trailer launch of his upcoming film The Bengal Files was allegedly abruptly cancelled in Kolkata. The director, who had already reached the city with his team, shared his disappointment in a video message on Friday.
Taking to social media platform "X", Agnihotri revealed that the launch event, initially planned to take place at a prominent cinema hall, was called off just a day before the scheduled date. The filmmaker expressed concern over the development, claiming that the venue backed out despite having provided written confirmation and all necessary permissions. “We had all the permissions and writing in correspondence for the launch. So our entire team came to Kolkata, but now we have come to know that the event has been cancelled,” Agnihotri said in the video.
According to Agnihotri, the theatre chain cited "political pressure" as the reason for the sudden cancellation. He alleged that the organisers wanted to avoid any potential "political turmoil" stemming from the film's content. “This is very sad. It is a very sad commentary on our democracy,” he remarked. “Are there two constitutions in India, one for Indians and the other for West Bengal?” Agnihotri questioned, implying that freedom of expression was being stifled in the state.
In the caption accompanying his video on social media, he wrote, “Just landed in Kolkata and learnt that the venue for the trailer launch of #TheBengalFiles is cancelled. Who wants to suppress our voice? And why? But I can’t be silenced. Because truth can’t be silenced. Trailer will be launched in Kolkata. Please share this video and support our free speech.”
Despite the setback, the filmmaker confirmed that the trailer would still be released in Kolkata on schedule, albeit at a different venue. As reported by Hindustan Times, the film’s team has now arranged for the trailer launch to take place at a five-star hotel in Kolkata on Saturday. Agnihotri emphasised that attempts to silence his voice would not succeed.
Later in the evening on Friday, Agnihotri visited the Kalighat Temple to seek blessings from Goddess Kali. He expressed spiritual resolve and confidence in the film’s release plans. “Today, I have come to seek the blessings of Maa, and with her blessings, no one can stop this film,” he stated.
The Bengal Files is written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri and is produced by Agnihotri, Abhishek Agarwal, and Pallavi Joshi. The cast includes acclaimed actors such as Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, and Pallavi Joshi. The film is centred around the events of Direct Action Day and is scheduled for theatrical release on 5 September 2025.
