Pallavi Joshi Alleges West Bengal Govt Blocked Trailer Launch of ‘The Bengal Files’
Image source: IANS
Mumbai, Aug 21 (TTP): Actress-producer Pallavi Joshi, awaiting the release of her much-anticipated film The Bengal Files, has alleged that the West Bengal government blocked the trailer launch and special screening of the film in Kolkata. Speaking to IANS ahead of the release, Joshi accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of deliberately stopping the event.
The film, directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, is based on the Direct Action Day of August 16, 1946, one of the darkest chapters in Bengal’s history marked by large-scale communal riots. The filmmakers had planned to unveil the trailer in Kolkata on August 16, 2025, to coincide with the 79th anniversary of the event.
“It Was Clearly Done by the Ruling Party,” Says Joshi
In a candid conversation at her Mumbai residence, Joshi did not mince words when describing the blockade.
“Well, it was very clearly done by the ruling party, and we are making no bones about it. We knew that we'd get some kind of resistance. But we didn't know it would be like this, that we won't be able to show our trailer at all,” she said.
The actress added that the Kolkata launch was chosen deliberately for its historical significance.
“It was very significant for us to choose Kolkata to release our trailer on August 16, which was the anniversary of Direct Action Day,” she explained.
Call for Government Support
Joshi expressed disappointment over the government’s stance, arguing that stories from the past should not be suppressed.
“If something has happened in the past, and if there are some people who are trying to bring that story forward, the government should help in uncovering these stories. They should be giving us full support,” she said.
While admitting that the blockade hurt the cast and crew, Joshi stressed that the team had moved on:
“I didn’t know that they won’t let us show the trailer, which was a very sad thing because everybody felt a little bad. It’s your work at the end of the day. It does hurt you a bit, but then it’s gone. It’s in the past. There’s a new day today.”
About The Bengal Files
The Bengal Files is the latest project from Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, following the success of his earlier controversial yet widely discussed film The Kashmir Files. The new film aims to shed light on the communal violence of Direct Action Day in 1946, an event that significantly altered Bengal’s history and shaped the partition narrative.
The film stars:
- Mithun Chakraborty
- Anupam Kher
- Darshan Kumar
- Pallavi Joshi herself in a key role
It is produced by Abhishek Agarwal, Pallavi Joshi, and Vivek Agnihotri, under the banner of I Am Buddha and Tej Narayan Agarwal, with Zee Studios handling worldwide distribution.
The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on September 5, 2025.
Political Backdrop
The allegations against the West Bengal government come against a backdrop of political sensitivities. The ruling TMC has often clashed with filmmakers and opposition groups over portrayals of Bengal’s past. With The Bengal Files tackling such a sensitive subject, observers see the controversy as part of a larger political-cultural battle in the state.
Final Thoughts
With just weeks left for its release, The Bengal Files has already generated headlines, not just for its theme but also for the political storm surrounding it. Whether the blockade incident fuels greater curiosity among audiences or sparks further debate remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: as September 5 approaches, all eyes will be on how the film is received, both at the box office and in the wider political discourse.