Review: Agnihotri’s ‘The Bengal Files’ is a Haunting Watch, But a Tough Sell just like The Kashmir Files Impact on Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi 4
Director Vivek Agnihotri’s latest film, The Bengal Files, hit theaters on Friday, September 5.
Director Vivek Agnihotri’s latest film, The Bengal Files, hit theaters on Friday, September 5. The film is the third part of his “Files Trilogy.” It follows The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files. The movie has been a topic of discussion even before its release. Its reviews are now out. The film is being called a hard-hitting and intense watch. But many say it is also very difficult to watch.
The Bengal Files is based on the events of the 1946 Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots. The film has a big cast. It stars Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumaar, and Saswata Chatterjee. The story is told through the eyes of a CBI officer. He is investigating a journalist’s disappearance. This investigation leads him to the dark past of Bengal.
The Bengal Files – A Film That Does Not Turn Away from Truth
My Rating: 4.3 Stars Out of 5
Many people who have seen the film are saying that Vivek Agnihotri has not shied away from showing the violence and pain. They say the film is raw and disturbing.
A review on X (formerly Twitter) called it a “gut-wrenching cinematic experience.” It said the film shows the “horrors of Direct Action Day with raw intensity.”
Another review said the film is not just a movie. It is a “wake-up call to remember a history that has been silenced for too long.”
The film has been praised for its performances. Many people have said that Darshan Kumaar, Pallavi Joshi, and Simrat Kaur have done a great job.
Saswata Chatterjee, who plays the villain, has also been praised for his “menacing and conniving” role. Anupam Kher’s portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi has also been mentioned by many critics.
The film’s makers had warned that “if Kashmir broke you, Bengal will haunt you.” Many viewers are saying that the film lives up to this promise.
The Bengal Files Film is also a Subject of Debate
Just like Agnihotri’s other films, The Bengal Files has also started a big debate. Some critics have said the film is not subtle at all.
They say it uses shock value to make its point.
The film’s focus on historical events has also been questioned. Some have said the film takes a very strong political side. They say it blames certain leaders and portrays them in a negative light.
The Bengal Files – Slow Start at the Box Office
The film’s performance at the box office on its first day was slow. It collected an estimated ₹1.68 crore net. This number is much lower than Vivek Agnihotri’s last film, The Kashmir Files. That movie had a first-day collection of ₹3.5 crore.
The Bengal Files also faced tough competition from Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi 4 and Hollywood’s The Conjuring: Last Rites. Both these films had much better opening numbers.
The film also had problems with its release. The makers said that the film was facing an “unofficial ban” in West Bengal.
They said that theatre owners were being “intimidated” by the police. The film’s producer, Pallavi Joshi, even wrote a letter to the President of India to ask for help. This controversy also became a part of the film’s talk.
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What Does the Future Hold?
The next few days will be very important for The Bengal Files. The film has received a mixed response from critics. But the audience on social media seems to be giving it a good response.
The success of this film will depend on word-of-mouth. Just like The Kashmir Files, this film also has the potential to grow over the weekend. The film has been given an ‘A’ certificate due to its violence.
This might limit its audience. But it is still a film that has made people talk. Whether you agree with it or not, it is a film that has started an important conversation.
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