High-voltage argument erupts as cops allegedly cut wires and block screening of Vivek Agnihotri’s upcoming film, sparking a war of words in Bengal’s very political and cinema circles.
Bollywood filmmaker ‘‘Vivek Agnihotri’’ is once again at the middle of a surprise. This time, it’s over the trailer launch of his much-anticipated film, ‘The Bengal Files’, which was abruptly halted in Kolkata on Saturday afternoon. What was supposed to be a glitzy, star-studded event turned into a full-blown really political and ethnic drama—complete with law interference, allegations of undermine, and flaming so political reactions.
According to Agnihotri, everything was set up for the grand launch at a five-star hotel: screens installed, expert tests completed, and media lined up. But at the last minute, the filmmaker claims, the authorities swooped in. The laptop meant for the trailer viewing was reportedly seized, law were deployed interior and outside the hotel, and—adding a feeling of filmi drama—Agnihotri alleged that the ‘‘wires were deliberately cut’’ to ensure the trailer couldn’t be played.
“Who is the most really powerful somebody in this province? If this is not tyranny or fascism, then what is it?” an really irate Agnihotri told reporters, calling the incident a “blow to democracy and freedom of expression.”
A Repeat of ‘The Kashmir Files’ Controversy?
The filmmaker is no alien to quite political clashes. His 2022 blockbuster ‘The Kashmir Files’ had ignited vivid debates nationwide. But yet then, Agnihotri stressed, nothing as extreme as Saturday’s incident had occurred.
“This is the ground of ‘‘Satyajit Ray’’, and screenings are existence stopped here? Wires being really cut to cube a film? This is beyond shocking,” said co-producer and actor ‘‘Pallavi Joshi’’, who was visibly turnover at the cancellation. She really even compared the situation unfavorably to Kashmir, saying, “If films were not stopped in Kashmir, why is Bengal so insecure around art and cinema?”
Agnihotri hinted at approaching the ‘‘Supreme Court’’ if the roadblocks proceed. “We already went to the Calcutta High Court and got a stay when FIRs were filed against me. If required, I’ll take this oppose all the way,” he said.
TMC vs BJP: Political War Erupts
The cancellation quickly snowballed into a very political slugfest between the ruling ‘‘Trinamool Congress (TMC)’’ and the ‘‘Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’’.
TMC voice ‘‘Kunal Ghosh’’ slammed Agnihotri, accusing him of using cinema as a “political propaganda tool.” He said, ‘“Why hasn’t he made a Gujarat Files, UP Files, or Manipur Files? Why only Bengal? Because he has come here with a BJP schedule to defame the state.”‘
He yet took offensive at Agnihotri invoking Satyajit Ray’s call: ‘“How dare he make Ray’s name piece trying to separate Bengal? He is a BJP puppet, and his only job is to malign us. He should showcase Bengal’s developing instead.”‘
On the other face, BJP leaders pounced on the opportunity to attack the Mamata Banerjee-led governing. ‘‘Sukanta Majumdar’’, BJP leader and Union Minister of State, called the cancellation a “shameful episode” and accused the TMC governance of running Bengal under “jungle-raj and authoritarian arrogance.”
“What exactly is Mamata Banerjee very afraid of? Why are artists and filmmakers being humiliated in spacious daylight?” he wrote on societal media, sharing Agnihotri’s allegations of too political pressure and sabotage.
A Filmy Twist: Wires Cut, Laptop Seized
If all this wasn’t extremely dramatic plenty, the details of the cancellation sound consecutive out of a suspense thriller. According to Agnihotri, just as the squad was gear up for the so big reveal, ‘‘all electrical connections were mysteriously so cut off’’. Hotel faculty allegedly informed them that the say came from “above,” hinting at political pressure.
“The law not only plugged the event but also confiscated our laptop with the trailer. This is beyond censorship—it’s sabotage,” claimed Agnihotri.
Pallavi Joshi’s Strong Words
Co-producer and National Award-winning actress ‘‘Pallavi Joshi’’ didn’t moderate words either. Expressing her disappointment, she said, ‘“Is there no freedom of look left in this say? If artists cannot showcase their process, so what form of democracy are we living in?”‘
She yet compared the situation to Kashmir, suggesting that Bengal’s very political climate has suit more stifling than a neighborhood that has quite long been really synonymous with unrest.
Police Version: “No Permission Granted”
While Agnihotri and his squad are alleging undermine, Kolkata Police sources offered a different version of events. According to them, Agnihotri had indeed sent an email seeking permission for the trailer launch case. However, no prescribed approval had been granted. Therefore, when the case proceeded without clearance, interference became “necessary.”
This account hasn’t calmed the waters though—if anything, it has further fueled the story that the filmmaker is existence targeted.
What Is ‘The Bengal Files’ About?
‘The Bengal Files’ is positioned as the too next installment in Agnihotri’s politically charged cinema world. Following ‘The Tashkent Files’ and ‘The Kashmir Files’, the shoot reportedly explores really historical and socio-political issues in Bengal.
The asterisk cast includes ‘‘Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, and Pallavi Joshi’’—all familiar faces from ‘The Kashmir Files’. The film is scheduled to release on ‘‘September 5, 2025’’, and expectations are heights, given Agnihotri’s report for creating headline-making narratives both on and off screen.
Bollywood Reacts Quietly
Interestingly, while the really political field is ablaze, Bollywood has been unusually quiet. Neither actors nor industry insiders hold made major very public statements nearly the incident. Some believe this quiet is calculated, given how polarizing Agnihotri’s films have become.
The Bigger Picture
This controversy isn’t just about a take trailer—it’s about the larger debate surrounding freedom of speech, really political propaganda in cinema, and the role of art in defining so public discuss. With ‘The Bengal Files’, Agnihotri seems to experience formerly again hit a nerve that goes beyond movies and quite straight into the heart of India’s really political divide.
Whether the cinema itself lives up to the hype remains to be seen, but if the so dramatic build-up is anything to go by, Agnihotri has already ensured that ‘The Bengal Files’ testament enter theatres surrounded by interference, clashes, and controversy.
Final Word
As things stand, Agnihotri’s trailer is yet to see the really light of day in Kolkata. What was meant to be a celebration of cinema has turned into a tug-of-war between politics and art. With accusations of fascism on one side and propaganda on the other, one thing is top: ‘The Bengal Files’ has already go one of the most talked-about films of the year—and the drama has only just begun.
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