Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri Alleges Political Pressure Behind 'The Bengal Files' Trailer Launch Halt

Kolkata: Chaos started over trailer launch of ‘The Bengal Files’ in Kolkata after the director of the film Vivek Agnihotri alleged that the Kolkata police had stopped the launch at the last moment.

The trailer launch of the controversial movie was scheduled at a five-star hotel in Kolkata which was allegedly stopped by the police, though police refused to comment on the issue.

Addressing the media, Agnihotri said that the launch was stopped due to the ‘person who is at the top of the administration in Bengal’.

Without naming anyone, Agnihotri hinted towards the ruling party of the state over the hindrance.

“The censor board had given clearance to the film. It seems that someone doesn't want the atrocities on Bengali Hindus in 1946 and the fightback of people like Gopal Mukherjee to be shown in cinema. Initially I had planned to launch the trailer in a big multiplex but the permission was denied. Then we had booked the five-star hotel. Everything was going well and at the last minute it was stopped,” said Agnihotri.

The Bengal Files’ director also mentioned that he wanted the trailer launch to take place in Kolkata as the film is based on Bengal.

“It is a part of history. Is someone trying to change history? Total dictatorship is going on here. Screenings of films are being stopped in the land of filmmakers like Satyajit Ray. The ruling party has lodged so many FIRs against me, I had moved the Calcutta High Court, where a stay was given,” further mentioned Agnihotri.

Asked if he thinks that such a step was taken as the Assembly election of Bengal is scheduled next year, to which Agnihotri said, “Had I had anything political in my mind then I would have released the movie in January or February next year. My movie is releasing on September 5. I am a storyteller and the movie is based on facts. No one can stop me.”

Agnihotri also claimed that the laptop to be used for screening was also seized by the cops.

Video: Vivek Agnihotri Alleges Disruption & Ruckus During The Bengal Files Trailer Launch In Kolkata, Calls It 'Dictatorship'

TMC leader Kunal Ghosh stated, “Movies should be made on Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh for the scams in those states. This movie is made just to malign Bengal.”

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and MoS Sukanta Majumdar taking to X said, “In the land of the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, West Bengal has once again witnessed a shameful episode that shatters every limit of democratic decency. Words are simply inadequate to condemn what has just taken place. Renowned director @vivekagnihotrii had arrived in Kolkata to launch the trailer of his upcoming film ‘The Bengal Files’. Shockingly, the event was abruptly cancelled, with a theatre chain openly admitting that it was acting under “political pressure.””

However, the hotel authorities said that no one had stopped anything.