Vivek Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files is creating strong reactions overseas, even before its release in India on September 5, 2025. The film is the third and probably final part of Agnihotri’s The Files trilogy, following The Tashkent Files (2019) and the controversial The Kashmir Files (2022). It covers the turbulent events of 1946 Bengal, including the Great Calcutta Killings, Direct Action Day, and the Noakhali riots, focusing on a sensitive chapter of history.
The film features Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Simrat Kaur, and Namoshi Chakraborty. Agnihotri combines historical facts with cinematic storytelling, taking viewers through moments of political chaos and communal violence in eastern India before Partition.
The Bengal Files Review: International Reactions Praise The Film
While Indian audiences wait for the theatrical release, North American viewers who have already seen the film have shared their reactions online. Journalist Avatans Kumar praised the film. He said, “Film The Bengal Files by @vivekagnihotri is a meticulously crafted cinematic portrayal of real events. It vividly brings to life the political turmoil of 1946, including the Noakhali Hindu massacre.”
Other viewers called it “a difficult film to watch but an important one because it addresses the suppressed generational trauma of the events in 1946-1947. It balances the stories we know from the Partition in northern India with events that preceded it by a year in eastern India.”
Google reviewers also urged young viewers to watch it. A user wrote, “A must see, show it to your Young Adult Children. Bengal Files is a hard-hitting, gut-wrenching portrayal of the forgotten Hindu genocide in eastern India. It exposes centuries of relentless persecution—over 1,400 years—culminating in the horrors faced during and after the Muslim invasions. This is not just a film; it’s a wake-up call to remember a history that has been silenced for too long.”
Another fan added it is a “gripping film which shows the horrors that Bengali Hindus went through. Must watch for all Indians to make sure we never let history repeat itself. Hats off to Vivek Agnihotri!”
Viral Clips And Controversy Surrounding The Film
Clips from screenings abroad, shared by Agnihotri on social media, have gone viral. Critics note that many reactions focus only on positive feedback, but supporters say this shows the film’s international impact.
Actor Saswata Chatterjee, who plays the antagonist, revealed he didn’t know about the title change from The Delhi Files. He said he joined for the rare chance to play a strong villain. Agnihotri clarified on The Right Angle that Saswata was fully aware of the plot.
Vivek Agnihotri Urges Mamata Banerjee Not To Ban The Bengal Files
The film has also sparked political debate. Agnihotri appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee not to ban it. He said, “It’s very important that I make this film, make the younger generation aware, enlighten them. And also, the entire community gets to express a generational trauma.”
No official response has been given, but the remarks have already stirred discussion online.
