‘Total dictatorship…’: Vivek Agnihotri alleges as Bengal Files trailer launch is halted; Kolkata Police arrives on scene

Vivek Agnihotri, the director of The Bengal Files, accused the West Bengal administration of “total dictatorship” and said that a commotion over his upcoming film’s trailer debut in Kolkata on Saturday, August 16, forced its cancellation.

“There is a word in English called ‘dictator’, and they are the most cowardly people in the world. When I announced The Bengal Files, the Chief Minister said on record that some people are making The Bengal Files and that it is propaganda, and that she will not allow it here. I think that there are two Constitutions in India, one for the country and one for West Bengal, but this is illegal, and I will fight against it,” Vivek Agnihotri said

At first, the trailer for the film was supposed to be released at the Quest Mall’s PVR INOX cinema in Kolkata. Following the multiplexes’ refusal to proceed with the screening, it was eventually moved to ITC Royal Bengal. However, the trailer debut at ITC Royal Bengal was stopped by Kolkata Police.

According to articles , actress Pallavi Joshi also claimed that the trailer launch was prohibited, saying that she “absolutely did not like the way” the movie was halted. The film The Bengal Files examines the intercommunal violence that occurred in undivided Bengal in the 1940s, notably the Noakhali riots of 1946, a Hindu genocide, and Direct Action Day in 1946.

Vivek Agnihotri claimed that the multiplexes where the movie’s trailer launch was planned, said that “they can’t do it because there is a lot of political pressure and if they do it, there will be a political turmoil.” He further alleged that when the movie was announced years ago, the West Bengal CM had threatened that the launch will not be allowed in the state.