- Director Agnihotri Faces Roadblocks
Article Today, Kolkata:
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri faced unexpected hurdles in Kolkata on Sunday. His latest film, The ‘Bengal Files’ , was scheduled for a trailer launch. However, the event ran into opposition from both the police and local theatres. The episode once again highlighted the challenges of taking on Bengal’s political leadership, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, often called the “Bengal Tiger.”
A Record of Controversial Film
Mr. Agnihotri is no stranger to controversy. His earlier films, The Kashmir Files and The Tashkent Files, stirred nationwide debate. Critics accused him of pushing selective narratives with a political agenda. The Bengal Files is reportedly based on the 1946 Calcutta riots. Given its sensitive political and social themes, the film has become a subject of heated debate even before release.
A Question of Democracy
The filmmaker claimed he had sought police permission by email but received no response. A theatre that initially agreed to host the event later backed out under political pressure, he alleged. The organisers then shifted the launch to a hotel. But power supply was disrupted twice, forcing the event to be abandoned. Mr. Agnihotri described the episode as an assault on democratic freedoms. He remarked that taking on Ms. Banerjee in Bengal was “like playing with fire.”
TMC Hits Back
The Trinamool Congress dismissed the allegations as political theatre. Party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said the film was designed to spread communal discord. He accused Mr. Agnihotri of trying to provoke unrest in the state. The ruling party stressed that the government would firmly oppose any attempt to disrupt peace.
A Political Battle Ahead
With the trailer launch aborted, attention now shifts to the film’s release. Political observers say The Bengal Files could ignite fresh controversy and deepen tensions between Mr. Agnihotri and the TMC. The episode underlines how cinema, politics, and social conflict continue to intersect sharply in Bengal.
