Controversy Erupts as Kolkata Police Halt 'The Bengal Files' Trailer Launch

The launch of the film 'The Bengal Files' trailer was halted by Kolkata Police. The film, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, based on the 1946 Calcutta Riots, faced opposition despite censor board clearance. Agnihotri alleged political interference from the ruling Trinamool Congress, further escalating tensions.

The much-anticipated trailer launch of 'The Bengal Files', a film directed by Vivek Agnihotri, faced unexpected halts when Kolkata Police intervened. Scheduled to be screened at a renowned five-star hotel in Kolkata, the event was disrupted, stoking a heated row over democratic rights and censorship in the city.

Vivek Agnihotri claimed that this action represented a violation of democratic principles. The censor board had already cleared the film and the Calcutta High Court had stayed any ban against it. He accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of exerting undue pressure to halt the screening, raising concerns about political interference in cinema.

The film, which delves into the communal violence in 1940s Bengal, is set for a September 5 release. Despite the disruptions, Agnihotri maintained that the trailer, spotlighting an oft-overlooked part of history, had gained nationwide attention. Back at the BJP party office, the film found its first viewers, steering a sharp conversation on the state of democracy in the region.

(With inputs from agencies.)