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Key Points

Vivek Agnihotri is shedding light on suppressed chapters of Bengal’s history ahead of his film’s release. He exposes former CM Suhrawardy’s involvement in Direct Action Day and threats to turn Bengal into an Islamic state. The Bengal Files, part of his trilogy, will premiere in the US before its global release. The film aims to bring forgotten historical truths to light.

Key Points: Vivek Agnihotri Exposes Bengal's Erased History Before The Bengal Files

  • Vivek Agnihotri reveals Bengal CM Suhrawardy's role in Direct Action Day
  • Highlights erased history of communal violence in Bengal
  • Film to premiere in 10 US cities before global release
  • Third in trilogy after The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files
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Vivek Agnihotri flips through erased chapters from history books ahead of 'The Bengal Files' release

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri uncovers Bengal CM Suhrawardy's role in Direct Action Day ahead of The Bengal Files release.

"This wasn’t a protest. It was a state-backed shutdown to spark communal violence in a Hindu-majority city. – Vivek Agnihotri"

Mumbai, July 12

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri decided to flip through a couple of erased chapters from history books ahead of the release of his upcoming drama, "The Bengal Files".

He shed light on the time when the former Chief Minister of Bengal, Suhrawardy urged Muslims to join the Direct Action Day to demand Pakistan, something never mentioned in our history books.

"Did you know? On 16 August 1946, Bengal’s CM Suhrawardy declared a public holiday and urged Muslims to join Direct Action Day to demand Pakistan. This wasn’t a protest. It was a state-backed shutdown to spark communal violence in a Hindu-majority city. Why was this erased from our history books? The Bengal Files Releasing Worldwide on 05 Sept 2025," the 'The Kashmir Files' maker wrote.

On Friday, Agnihotri recalled the time when Suhrawardy threatened to make Bengal an Islamic State.

Sharing the incident, he mentioned on social media, "Did you know?

On 13 August 1946, Bengal’s CM Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy openly threatened to make Bengal an Islamic State. This wasn’t a freedom struggle. It was a blueprint of violence & communal fire. Direct Action Day became one of the biggest tragedies in Indian history. Yet… you were never told. #TheBengalFiles Releasing Worldwide on 05 Sept 2025."

Before "The Bengal Files" gets a theatrical release on September 5, the movie will be premiered in the USA in July as part of the "Never Again" tour.

The tour will be spread across ten U.S cities. — New Jersey, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, DC, Raleigh, Tampa, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Produced by Abhishek Agarwal and Pallavi Joshi under the banners of Abhishek Agarwal Arts and I Am Buddha Productions, "The Bengal Files" is the last part of the trilogy after "The Tashkent Files", and "The Kashmir Files".

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While historical accuracy is important, I hope this film presents facts without sensationalism. The Kashmir Files was powerful but some scenes felt exaggerated. Hope The Bengal Files maintains balance.
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Ananya R
My grandfather used to tell us stories about the Calcutta riots...terrible things happened that we never read about in school. It's time the younger generation knows the truth 🙏
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Vikram M
Why only focus on one community's wrongdoings? History is complex - there were atrocities from all sides during Partition. A balanced narrative would be more credible.
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Priya S
As a Bengali, I'm torn. While we should know our history, I hope this doesn't reopen old wounds. We've worked hard to maintain communal harmony in Bengal despite our painful past.
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Karthik V
The fact that these tours are happening in US first shows how NRIs are more interested in our history than many Indians! Shame on our education system for hiding these chapters 😡
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Meera T
Hope this film doesn't become political propaganda. History should be presented as it was, not colored by today's political narratives. Will wait for historians' reviews before watching.

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