After BJP's Bengal win, Vivek Agnihotri's The Bengal Files to release in the state

Vivek Agnihotri's The Bengal Files is set to be screened in Kolkata from Friday after months of release trouble in West Bengal. The move follows his allegations that the film had been blocked in the state and plans to add more theatres across Bengal.

In Short

• The film is set for a Friday release through Priya Cinemas
• Agnihotri said screenings faced blocks, assaults and multiple FIRs in Bengal
• He said he could not travel to collect an award

Vivek Agnihotri's film The Bengal Files is set to be screened in Kolkata from Friday, months after it ran into trouble in West Bengal when it was released in September last year. The development comes after Agnihotri alleged that the film had been prevented from screening in the state.

Soon after the BJP's Bengal win, Agnihotri posted on X and referred to how his earlier film The Kashmir Files had been taken out of cinema halls. Referring to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he alleged that she had banned The Bengal Files. At the same time, those involved in the film's release said efforts were being made to screen it not only in Kolkata but also in theatres across the state.

In his post on X, Agnihotri wrote, 'Our trailer launch was blocked. We were attacked and assaulted. Dozens of FIRs were filed against me. I was cancelled in Bengal. I couldn't even go to receive my award from the governor. But we never gave up. During these elections, we ensured the film was somehow shown to as many people as possible across Bengal. I am glad we didn't give up and fought in our own little way.'

According to The Times of India, Priya Cinemas' Arijit Dutta, who will release the film on Friday, said, 'A censored film didn't get released in Bengal because of a party diktat. Not a single theatre could screen it while the rest of India watched it. There was so much curiosity about the film. I am glad Bengal will finally get to watch it.'

They also quoted distributor Satadeep Saha as saying, 'Not just Kolkata, we are working on a list of theatres across Bengal.'

With the film now scheduled to open in the state on Friday, The Bengal Files is set to be screened in Kolkata after months of controversy over its release in West Bengal.

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