A storm brewed in Kolkata on Saturday as filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri attempted to launch the trailer for his new movie, ‘The Bengal Files’. What was supposed to be a standard industry event turned into chaos when local police stepped in, bringing the whole thing to a halt. The sudden intervention caused a flurry of anger and confusion, delaying the trailer’s debut.
The buzz around ‘The Bengal Files’ trailer release was high, scheduled for noon. But the city’s police had other plans. They arrived mid-event, putting the brakes on the proceedings. This unexpected move led to a major uproar. The trailer finally saw the light of day an hour later than planned. Both Vivek Agnihotri and his wife, actress Pallavi Joshi, were visibly upset. They spoke out, claiming this was an attempt to silence them.
Behind the Scenes Disruption
Speaking to news outlets, Vivek Agnihotri shared the frustrating details of what went on. He explained that movie trailers usually get launched in big cinema halls. That was the plan for ‘The Bengal Files’. However, as soon as he landed in Kolkata from America, he got some troubling news. One of the biggest multiplex chains in the city said they couldn’t host the event. They cited immense political pressure as the reason. The multiplex management reportedly worried that hosting the trailer launch would stir up political trouble.
Agnihotri then tried another large multiplex, but got the same response: too much political pressure, impossible to host. He expressed his frustration, asking why he and his team would come all the way to Kolkata, spending so much time and money, if they knew this would happen from the start.
A Fight for Expression
Undeterred, Agnihotri decided the show must go on. He pointed out that since the film is about Bengal, its trailer should absolutely be launched right there. Being someone who doesn’t give up easily, he found an alternative. The trailer, for the first time ever in his experience, ended up being released in a hotel banquet hall instead of a traditional movie theater. This unusual situation only fueled his questions: “Why are they trying to muzzle our voices?”
His wife, Pallavi Joshi, also weighed in with a sharp question. She asked if the situation in Kashmir was now better than in Bengal, calling the attempt to stop their film completely wrong. Her comments added another layer to the heated debate around the film and its perceived message.
What’s the Real Fear?
Agnihotri directly challenged the authorities, demanding to know the real reason for the cancellations. He noted that several police complaints, known as FIRs, have been filed against him. He emphasized that these complaints are coming from members of the ruling party, not just regular citizens.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | ‘The Bengal Files’ director Vivek Agnihotri alleges disruption during trailer launch of his film, he says, ” If this is not dictatorship/fascism, then what is?…Law and order in your state has failed, and this is the reason that everyone supports… pic.twitter.com/rjQc0jh7iR
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025
He recalled a previous threat from the Kolkata Chief Minister when the film was first announced, stating that ‘The Bengal Files’ would not be allowed entry there. Agnihotri posed the critical questions: “So, what exactly is the government afraid of? What’s the big deal with this film?” His questions highlight a growing tension between artistic expression and political control.
VIDEO | As trailer launch of ‘The Bengal Files’ was stopped in Kolkata, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) says, “It has happened in front of you, camera captured, the trailer launch of CBFC approved movie was stopped, this is an anarchy, dictatorship… Police had come… pic.twitter.com/bALRD8ihIA
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 16, 2025