Key Points

Anupam Kher has publicly endorsed The Bengal Files as an important contemporary film. The movie focuses on the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings and Noakhali riots, presenting them as a suppressed genocide. Producer Pallavi Joshi wrote to President Murmu about facing an unofficial ban in West Bengal despite no formal restrictions. The film completes Vivek Agnihotri's Files Trilogy that began with The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files.

Key Points: Anupam Kher Calls The Bengal Files Important Film of Our Times

  • Anupam Kher endorses film as crucial contemporary cinema
  • Film depicts 1946 Calcutta Killings and Noakhali riots as genocide
  • Pallavi Joshi writes to President about unofficial West Bengal ban
  • Final installment in Agnihotri's Files Trilogy after Tashkent and Kashmir
3 min read

Anupam Kher on 'The Bengal Files': It is an important film of our times

Anupam Kher supports Vivek Agnihotri's The Bengal Files, calling it an important film about suppressed 1946 Hindu genocide and Noakhali riots history.

Anupam Kher on 'The Bengal Files': It is an important film of our times
"It is an important film of our times. - Anupam Kher"

Mumbai, Sep 5

As “The Bengal Files” hits the big screen on Friday, veteran actor Anupam Kher has extended his best wishes to the team and called the movie an “important film of our times.”

Anupam took to Instagram, where he shared pictures posing with the cast and crew of the film.

He went on to congratulate filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, actress-producer Pallavi Joshi and the entire cast and crew on the film’s release.

He wrote: “Congratulations and best wishes to @vivekagnihotri @pallavijoshiofficial @abhishekofficl and the entire team of #TheBengalFiles on the release of the film today. It is an important film of our times. Please go and watch it in the theatres!”

“The Bengal Files” presents a storyline focused on the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings and the Noakhali riots, depicting the violence and its aftermath as a genocide, and claiming that these chapters of history were deliberately suppressed or ignored.

The film stars Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Simrat Kaur, Anupam Kher, Saswata Chatterjee, Namashi Chakraborty, Rajesh Khera, Puneet Issar, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Sourav Das and Mohan Kapur.

The Bengal Files is the third and final instalment in Agnihotri's The Files Trilogy based on modern Indian history, following The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files.

On Thursday, Pallavi penned an open letter to President of India Droupadi Murmu pleading to protect her constitutional right and let “The Bengal Files” be shown in West Bengal peacefully.

She wrote: “Respected Madam President, With a heavy heart, I reach out to you, not for favours, but for protection.”

She shared that the film, which releases on September 5, is the final chapter of the “Files Trilogy”. She went on to mention that the film portrays the “long-suppressed truth” of the Hindu genocide during Direct Action Day, the horrors of Noakhali, and the Partition trauma.

“The Bengal Files, the final part of the Files Trilogy, releases on 5th September. It tells the long-suppressed truth of the Hindu genocide of Direct Action Day, the horrors of Noakhali, and the trauma of Partition.”

“Since then, baseless FIRs have been filed, our trailer was blocked by police, and even newspapers avoid carrying ads. My family is threatened every day by political party workers,” she added.

In her letter, Joshi claimed that despite no official ban, “The Bengal Files” is facing an “unofficial ban” in West Bengal.

Calling the film the “cry of Maa Bharati”, she added: “The Bengal Files is the cry of Maa Bharati, scarred yet unbroken, a story of survival and hope. As a woman who rose from the margins to the highest constitutional office, only you can truly understand what it means to endure such pain and turn it into purpose.”

Pallavi concluded the post by saying: “Madam President, I seek not a favour for a film but space for art, for truth, for Maa Bharati's soul to speak without fear. You are my final hope. Please protect our constitutional right and let The Bengal Files be shown in West Bengal peacefully. With respect and gratitude, Pallavi Joshi Producer, The Bengal Files.”

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
It's sad that a film has to beg for protection to be screened in its own country. Freedom of expression should be respected everywhere in India, including West Bengal.
A
Aman W
While historical truth is important, I hope the film presents facts responsibly without creating more division. We need healing, not more polarization. 🙏
M
Michael C
As someone who studied Indian history, the Calcutta Killings and Noakhali riots were indeed horrific chapters that deserve more attention. Hope the film does justice to the victims' stories.
S
Shreya B
Anupam Kher is right - this is an important film. Our generation needs to know the sacrifices and struggles our ancestors faced. Booking tickets for the weekend! 🎬
K
Karthik V
The Kashmir Files was powerful cinema. Expecting the same impact from The Bengal Files. Vivek Agnihotri has become the voice of suppressed histories in Indian cinema.

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