Latest news with #GujaratFiles'
NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
After Ruckus At 'Bengal Files' Trailer Launch, Cops Say Vivek Agnihotri Didn't Take Permission
Kolkata: Kolkata Police sources have told NDTV that filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri had not sought any administrative permission for public view of the trailer of The Bengal Files in Kolkata. The attempt to screen the trailer without permission violated Section 3 of the West Bengal Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1954 which governs the exhibition of cinema in the state, a senior police officer in Kolkata told NDTV. "If he has taken required permission, he should at least show the media the documents," the officer said. The response came after the Bollywood filmmaker claimed his trailer launch of 'The Bengal Files' at a five-star hotel in Kolkata was stopped on Saturday. Visuals of policemen entering the venue had gone viral on social media. On Friday, Mr Agnihotri was seen at Kalighat Temple offering prayers alongside Tushar Kanti Ghosh, the BJP's media incharge in Bengal. "It has happened in front of you, camera captured, the trailer launch of a CBFC-approved movie was stopped, this is an anarchy, dictatorship... Police had come so that we could not show the movie, the police are being used in Bengal because of some people's political ambitions," Mr Agnihotri told reporters. "The film talks about demography change, and they don't want to show it because the state itself empowers demography change. I cannot be silenced," he said. The ruling Trinamool Congress's spokesperson said Mr Agnihotri's allegation is baseless. "What the videomaker has said is totally baseless. If he has guts, first make 'Gujarat Files' on the Godhra riots, then go to Manipur, make 'Manipur Files'. Go to UP - Unnao, Hathras, Prayagraj, and make 'UP Files'. He is planted by a political force," Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh said. "He made 'Kashmir Files' and now he is blaming West Bengal, distorting facts, and maligning West Bengal. He is doing his job assigned by the BJP," Mr Ghosh added. An ITC Royal Bengal spokesperson said it extended full cooperation and all relevant information has been shared with the authorities who are investigating the matter. 'The Bengal Files' says it depicts the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings - also known as Direct Action Day - and how communal violence in the state shaped India's path to Partition and Independence. The film stars Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Mithun Chakraborty, and Saswata Chatterjee, among others. The film is set to release on September 5 and is part of Mr Agnihotri's Files trilogy.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘The Bengal Files': Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri alleges trailer launch stopped at the last minute in Kolkata; TMC leader Kunal Ghosh slams director for ‘maligning' Bengal
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has claimed that the trailer launch event of his film, 'The Bengal Files', was stopped at the last moment at a five-star hotel in Kolkata on Saturday afternoon. The filmmaker further alleged that a huge contingent of the Kolkata Police was deployed both inside and outside the hotel premises, and that the laptop to be used for screening was also seized by the cops. On Friday, Agnihotri had stated that he would hold the trailer launch event at a private hotel after the program was cancelled at a movie hall. Speaking to the media, Agnihotri said, 'All the screens have been put up, all tests have been conducted from last night, now at the last minute they are saying we cannot screen it. There is some form of political pressure… who is the most powerful person in this state? If this is not a dictatorship, fascism, then what is it? Law and order in your state has failed, and this is the reason that everyone supports The Bengal Files.' 'Why was it not stopped in the morning? Why is it being stopped now? We have all the permissions. Screenings of films are being stopped in the land of filmmakers like Satyajit Ray…. The ruling party has lodged so many FIRs against me, I had gone to the Calcutta High Court, where a stay was given. If required, I will go to the Supreme Court,' he added. Agnihotri also alleged that some people cut all the wires at the hotel to prevent the screening. Meanwhile, co-producer and actor Pallavi Joshi said, 'I did not like the way my film was stopped. Is there freedom of expression in this state? As filmmakers and actors, we are not able to screen what we have made. What is the threat they are feeling? Such a thing did not happen even in Kashmir. Can we derive that the situation in Kashmir is better than in Bengal? See what is happening in Bengal today.' According to police sources, the director had sent an email requesting police permission for the trailer launch, but no permission had been granted for the event till now. Producer Abhishek Agarwal said, 'The film's trailer was supposed to be launched today, but it was stopped midway. At the time of Kashmir Files, nothing like this ever happened.' TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said, 'Vivek Agnihotri is doing drama. In the name of films, he is doing politically motivated propaganda and trying to divide people. Why has he not made 'Gujarat Files' and shown what happened to Bilkis? Why have 'UP Files' or 'MP Files' or even 'Manipur Files' not been made? He has come to Bengal to malign Bengal; he should be thrown out of Bengal, but because there is democracy here, he is still here.' Further hitting out at Agnihotri, Ghosh said, 'How dare he take Satyajit Ray's name? He is coming to his land and trying to create a divide. Vivek Agnihotri is a puppet of the BJP who is constantly trying to malign Bengal and its people. He should show the development of Bengal that would be a model for the entire nation.' BJP Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar condemned the cancellation of the trailer launch event. Taking to social media, he said, 'In the land of the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, West Bengal has once again witnessed a shameful episode that shatters every limit of democratic decency… Renowned director @vivekagnihotri Ji had arrived in Kolkata to launch the trailer of his upcoming film 'The Bengal Files'. Shockingly, the event was abruptly cancelled, with a theatre chain openly admitting that it was acting under 'political pressure.' Undeterred, when he and his team attempted to hold the launch at a private hotel, that too was brazenly sabotaged! The director himself alleged that the electrical wires were deliberately cut, while the subservient Kolkata Police were disgracefully deployed to disrupt a private event.' In the land of the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, West Bengal has once again witnessed a shameful episode that shatters every limit of democratic decency. Words are simply inadequate to condemn what has just taken place. Renowned director @vivekagnihotri Ji had arrived in… — Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) August 16, 2025 'This is not merely disgraceful – it is yet another chilling reminder of how Bengal today is being ruled under jungle-raj, anarchy, and authoritarian arrogance, intoxicated with the politics of appeasement.' 'I strongly and unequivocally condemn this despicable act. Today, not only Bengal but the entire nation has seen how a filmmaker and his team of artists were insulted and humiliated in broad daylight.' 'What exactly is @MamataOfficial so afraid of? Why is she resorting to such vindictive and dictatorial tactics? The people of Bengal have now seen the truth for themselves – there is no difference between Mamata Banerjee and Surahwardi.' Written and directed by Agnihotri, The Bengal Files features Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, and Pallavi Joshi. The film is scheduled for release on September 5.
