When filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri calls a press conference, you know it won’t be a quiet affair. Known for sparking national debates with movies like ‘The Tashkent Files’ and ‘The Kashmir Files,’ he’s now gearing up to release ‘The Bengal Files.’ This new project has been a hot topic of conversation.
Just recently, his film’s trailer launch in Kolkata hit a snag, leading to quite a commotion. So, today, the team moved the show to Delhi for a more focused chat. Agnihotri, along with his wife and actress Pallavi Joshi, and co-producer Abhishek Agarwal, spoke about everything. They covered the deep research behind the film and even the ruckus at the Kolkata event.
Should He Make Films on All Riots?
During the conference, the big question hanging in the air finally got asked. Since Agnihotri made ‘The Kashmir Files,’ a film about the painful history of Kashmiri Pandits, and now ‘The Bengal Files’ which tackles the 1946 Bengal riots, would he next create a ‘Gujarat Files’? What about other past events, like those in Muzaffarpur or Meerut? The room waited for his answer.
Agnihotri was direct. He pointed out that Bollywood has hundreds of directors. Yet, he said, people seem to expect him alone to make films about every single riot. He clarified his role: “I am a director. I am not the Prime Minister of India.” He stated he would only choose to make films on issues he felt were truly important. He did, however, thank the questioner for their faith in him.
His Agenda: Uncovering Hidden Truths
Then came another pointed question: Do his films have a specific purpose? Do they follow an agenda? Agnihotri didn’t hesitate. “Yes, I have a purpose. I have an agenda,” he confirmed.
He explained his goal. He wants to bring to light the hidden stories of India, those that have not been widely told. He cited ‘The Tashkent Files’ and ‘The Kashmir Files’ as examples. He said his movies explore all sides of these stories. This approach helps people understand the full truth behind historical events.
Coming Soon: The Bengal Files
‘The Bengal Files’ is set to hit theaters on September 5. The film revisits the 1946 riots in Bengal. It brings back some familiar faces from ‘The Kashmir Files.’ The cast includes Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Darshan Kumar, and Pallavi Joshi. Simrat Kaur also joins them in a main role.