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Key Points

Director Vivek Agnihotri has come forward with alarming claims that his family is receiving threats over his upcoming film "The Bengal Files." He revealed that his children are being specifically targeted, forcing drastic changes to their daily safety routines. Agnihotri compared this situation to the backlash from "The Kashmir Files," stating the current harassment is even more severe. The film itself explores historical communal violence in Bengal during the 1940s and is set for a September release.

Key Points: Vivek Agnihotri Says Family Threatened Over The Bengal Files

  • Agnihotri claims his children are being targeted by threats over the film
  • He states he hasn't sat in a car with his children since past fatwas
  • The director is facing intense social media lynching over the project
  • Film explores 1940s communal violence in undivided Bengal
  • Title was changed from 'The Delhi Files' to avoid confusion
2 min read

They have dragged my family: Vivek Agnihotri claims facing threats over 'The Bengal Files' release

Director Vivek Agnihotri reveals his family is being targeted with threats over his upcoming film "The Bengal Files," citing worse harassment than during "The Kashmir Files."

"They have dragged my family. After the release of 'The Kashmir Files,' three fatwas were issued in my name. - Vivek Agnihotri"

New Delhi, August 20

Amid the growing controversy surrounding his film 'The Bengal Files', director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri claimed that he has received 'threats' over the film's release.

Speaking to ANI, Agnihotri revealed that he, along with his family, has become a target of the threats.

"My daughter and my son are being targeted. They have dragged my family. After the release of 'The Kashmir Files,' three fatwas were issued in my name. Since then, I haven't sat in the car with my children. Not even once. We haven't done anything together. I didn't have as much trouble making 'The Kashmir Files' as I am having with this film," he said.

"I am being attacked and subjected to a sort of social media lynching," the filmmaker added.

Noting that his film sheds light on the Bengal culture, music, and food, Agnihotri condemned the threats toward his family, including his daughter and wife.

Elsewhere in the conversation, the filmmaker also opened up about changing the film's title from 'The Delhi Files: Bengal Chapter' to 'The Bengal Files.'

Noting that the original name was used in the posters initially, he explained that the changes were made to avoid miscommunication.

"When I went to America in March-April, for the first time, I started the film's networking and marketing because I wanted to do shows there. As soon as I delivered my first speech in New Jersey, there were a lot of people. I announced that my film is coming, 'The Delhi Files: Bengal Chapter.' Many of them came to me and asked if the film was based on the Sikh riots or the Delhi riots. I realised that there was a massive communication problem," he said.

It was then that the filmmaker reached out to the audience and took suggestions for the film's title, before finalising 'The Bengal Files.'

Directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, 'The Bengal Files' explores the communal violence that took place in undivided Bengal during the 1940s, including the events of the Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots of 1946.

The film will hit theatres on September 5.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I don't agree with all of Vivek's filmmaking choices, threatening someone's family is crossing all lines. We need to learn to disagree without becoming violent. This is not what India stands for.
Aryan P
The Bengal Files seems like another attempt to rewrite history with a particular narrative. But regardless of the film's content, threats and fatwas have no place in a democratic society. Let the film release and let people decide for themselves.
S
Sarah B
As someone who studied Indian history, I'm curious to see how they portray the 1946 events. But the safety concerns are really worrying - no filmmaker should fear for their family's safety because of their work.
V
Vikram M
This is becoming a pattern with his films. First Kashmir Files, now Bengal Files. While he has the right to make films on sensitive topics, he should also consider how they might inflame tensions. But threats are never justified.
N
Nisha Z
Bengal has such a rich cultural history beyond just the violence. I hope the film does justice to the music, food, and literature mentioned, and doesn't just focus on the tragic events. Wishing safety for his family ❤️

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