Vivek Agnihotri Calls ‘The Bengal Files’ His Protest Film, Announces USA Premiere Tour Ahead of September 5 Release
New Delhi, July 7 — Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has unveiled the final installment of his widely discussed “Files” trilogy, titled The Bengal Files, which he describes as “more than just a film” and “a form of protest.” The film, scheduled to release in theatres on September 5, 2025, aims to spotlight the communal violence and genocide that took place in undivided Bengal during the 1940s—events Agnihotri claims have long been buried or ignored.
In a recent Instagram video post, Agnihotri invited his followers in the United States to attend 10 grand premieres of The Bengal Files between July 19 and August 10. The filmmaker will be present at all screenings along with his wife, actress Pallavi Joshi.
“The Bengal Files is not just a film, but a buried truth every Indian must know,” Agnihotri said. “It’s a film your children must watch before it’s too late. Come. Watch. Question.”
USA Premiere Schedule Announced
In the announcement video, Agnihotri shared a detailed list of premiere dates and cities:
- July 19 – New Jersey
- July 20 – Washington D.C.
- July 25 – Raleigh
- July 26 – Atlanta
- July 27 – Tampa
- August 1 – Phoenix
- August 2 – Los Angeles
- August 3 – San Francisco Bay Area
- August 9 – Chicago
- August 10 – Grand Finale in Houston
Interested viewers can book their seats online through the link provided by the filmmaker on his official platforms.
“If Kashmir Hurt You, Bengal Will Haunt You”
Reflecting on his trilogy—The Tashkent Files (2019), The Kashmir Files (2022), and now The Bengal Files—Agnihotri emphasized that the final chapter dives into one of India’s most disturbing yet less-discussed historical tragedies.
“If Kashmir has hurt you, Bengal is going to haunt you,” he said. “This is my way of protesting. The world was kept in the dark by our politicians, historians, and media about the genocide of our own people in Bengal.”
Agnihotri believes that The Bengal Files will resonate deeply, especially with younger generations. “This film will make your children understand what we have gone through. And despite that, we are still one of the most inclusive societies in the world,” he added.
What Is The Bengal Files About?
The Bengal Files is based on real events that unfolded in undivided Bengal during the 1940s, focusing particularly on the Direct Action Day riots of 1946 and the Noakhali genocide, which resulted in large-scale communal violence, displacements, and killings.
The film aims to explore the socio-political undercurrents leading up to these tragedies and their long-lasting impact on India’s secular fabric.
“It’s not just a film. It’s India’s history. It’s your history, my history, your children’s history—and it will remain their children’s history too,” said Agnihotri.
Star-Studded Cast
The film features a powerhouse ensemble including:
- Mithun Chakraborty
- Pallavi Joshi
- Anupam Kher
- Darshan Kumar
- Puneet Issar
- Govind Namdev
All of whom have previously worked with Agnihotri in his earlier projects.
Final Chapter in the ‘Files’ Trilogy
Agnihotri’s “Files” trilogy is known for its provocative take on significant yet controversial chapters in Indian history:
- The Tashkent Files (2019): Investigated the mysterious death of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.
- The Kashmir Files (2022): Centered on the exodus and killing of Kashmiri Pandits during the 1990 insurgency in Kashmir.
- The Bengal Files (2025): Seeks to uncover the horrors of the Bengal genocide and pre-Partition communal unrest.
Each film has garnered both widespread acclaim and strong criticism for its bold themes and storytelling approach.
The Bengal Files is expected to spark intense public discourse upon its release. As with his previous films, Agnihotri is using his work as a medium to challenge conventional narratives and revive historical memory.
Theatrical release is slated for September 5, 2025, but viewers in the United States will get an early opportunity to watch and interact with the cast and crew starting July 19.