Vivek Agnihotri Claims Mamata Banerjee Fears ‘Skeletons May Tumble Out’ With The Bengal Files Release

National Award-winning filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has stirred political and cinematic debate with his upcoming film, The Bengal Files, which he claims exposes “untold truths” of Bengal’s turbulent history. In a recent interview, Agnihotri alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee fears the film may reveal uncomfortable facts, stating that “skeletons may tumble out” once the movie hits theatres on September 5, 2025.

The controversy erupted after the trailer launch of the film was abruptly cancelled in Kolkata, with Agnihotri accusing the state government of misusing police power to suppress the event. The Bengal Files, which follows the legacy of Agnihotri’s previous works like The Kashmir Files and The Vaccine War, aims to portray historical episodes such as the Direct Action Day, the Great Calcutta Killings, and the Noakhali riots—events that led to the partition of Bengal.

🎬 The Bengal Files: A Cinematic Provocation

Agnihotri describes The Bengal Files as a film that “tells the untold story of Hindu genocide” in Bengal, focusing on events from 1946 that remain politically sensitive. The film stars Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Namashi Chakraborty, Simrat Kaur, and Darshan Kumar, and has been cleared by the censor board.

Film TitleThe Bengal Files
DirectorVivek Ranjan Agnihotri
Release DateSeptember 5, 2025
Key ThemesDirect Action Day, Noakhali riots
Lead CastAnupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty
CertificationCleared by CBFC
GenreHistorical Political Drama

Agnihotri insists the film is not anti-Bengal but rather a tribute to the region’s heritage, culture, and resilience. He argues that suppressing the film’s release is tantamount to denying the people of Bengal their right to historical truth.

🧠 Mamata Banerjee’s Alleged Opposition

According to Agnihotri, Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) are “vehemently opposed” to the film because it may reveal uncomfortable truths about Bengal’s political past. He claimed that the cancellation of the trailer launch was orchestrated by the state government, which “weaponised police” to prevent the event.

“She doesn’t want history to come out because when history comes out, lots of other skeletons will also pop out of the box—and some skeletons maybe of their family. Bad skeletons, not good skeletons,” Agnihotri said.

Allegation by AgnihotriResponse from State Government
Trailer launch blocked by policeNo official statement issued
Fear of historical exposureTMC leaders remain silent
Suppression of artistic freedomCivil society voices concern

Banerjee, however, is widely seen as having built an independent political career. Born into a non-political family, she rose through student activism and founded the TMC in 1998. Critics argue that Agnihotri’s claims may be politically motivated, especially given the timing of the film’s release ahead of the 2026 Bengal Assembly elections.

📊 Political and Cultural Reactions

The Bengal Files has sparked mixed reactions across political and cultural circles. While some view it as an important attempt to revisit forgotten chapters of history, others see it as a provocative narrative that could stoke communal tensions.

StakeholderReaction Summary
BJP Bengal UnitWelcomed the film’s release
TMC LeadersSilent or dismissive
Civil Liberties GroupsConcerned about communal portrayal
Film CriticsAwaiting full release for review

Agnihotri maintains that the film is based on archival research and eyewitness accounts, and that it seeks to honor Bengal’s legacy rather than vilify any community.

🔍 Historical Context: Direct Action Day and Noakhali Riots

The Bengal Files reportedly centers on two pivotal events:

  • Direct Action Day (August 16, 1946): Called by the Muslim League, it led to widespread communal violence in Kolkata, resulting in thousands of deaths.
  • Noakhali Riots (October 1946): A series of communal attacks in East Bengal (now Bangladesh), which prompted Mahatma Gandhi’s peace march in the region.
Event NameDateCasualties EstimatedHistorical Impact
Direct Action DayAugust 16, 19464,000+Communal polarization
Noakhali RiotsOctober 19465,000+Gandhi’s peace mission

Agnihotri claims these events have been “whitewashed” in mainstream narratives and deserve cinematic representation.

🧠 Freedom of Expression vs Political Sensitivity

The Bengal Files controversy reignites the debate over artistic freedom and political censorship. Agnihotri argues that the state’s actions amount to suppression of expression, while critics caution against the potential for historical distortion.

IssueAgnihotri’s ViewCritics’ View
Artistic FreedomBeing suppressed by state powerMust be balanced with responsibility
Historical AccuracyBased on research and eyewitnessesNeeds scholarly validation
Political TimingCoincidentalPossibly strategic

Agnihotri has urged audiences to watch the film and decide for themselves, stating, “It’s just a trailer—picture abhi baaki hai.”

🎥 Cast and Production Highlights

The film boasts a powerful ensemble cast and has been shot across multiple locations in Bengal, including Kolkata, Murshidabad, and Cooch Behar. The production team claims to have worked closely with historians and local communities to ensure authenticity.

Actor NameRole in Film
Anupam KherHistorian and narrator
Mithun ChakrabortyPolitical leader
Pallavi JoshiJournalist
Namashi ChakrabortyStudent activist
Simrat KaurSurvivor of riots
Darshan KumarPolice officer

The film’s music, composed by Rohit Sharma, blends classical Bengali motifs with contemporary orchestration.

📌 Conclusion

Vivek Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files has already made headlines before its release, with claims of political suppression and historical revelation. Whether it becomes a cinematic milestone or a flashpoint of controversy will depend on public reception and critical scrutiny.

As Mamata Banerjee’s government faces allegations of stifling artistic freedom, the film’s release on September 5 is poised to test the boundaries between politics, history, and cinema. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Bengal—and the stories it may yet reveal.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available interviews, news reports, and film announcements as of August 21, 2025. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute political endorsement or historical validation.

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