'Filming in Murshidabad was impossible', says Vivek Agnihotri amid WAQF protests

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has alleged that filming in West Bengal's Murshidabad district was "impossible" due to a lack of government and police support, against the backdrop of ongoing violence over the Waqf Amendment Act. Agnihotri, known for politically charged films, revealed that his team had to recreate Murshidabad in Mumbai for the shoot of *The Delhi Files* due to what he described as an uncooperative and unsafe environment.

Taking to social media platform X, Agnihotri wrote, “The story of our new film, The Delhi Files, is set in Murshidabad. And it was impossible to shoot there. Neither the government nor the police helped. As if it is a different country. We had to make sets and shoot in Mumbai. Demography imbalance is a real danger.”

His statement comes as fresh unrest breaks out in Murshidabad, with protests against the Waqf Amendment Act turning violent. On Saturday, two people were killed during clashes, prompting heavy police deployment and central forces being brought in. Authorities have arrested at least 118 individuals so far, with the number expected to rise.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has appealed for calm, stating that “non-religious activity in the name of religion” would not be tolerated. She also reiterated that the Waqf law would not be implemented in the state, distancing her administration from the centre’s decision.

The situation was deemed “grave and volatile” by the Calcutta High Court, which ordered the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in affected areas. This decision followed a petition by opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, who called for immediate central intervention.

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has reviewed the situation via video conference with state officials. Meanwhile, ADG (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim confirmed that police had to open fire to control mobs on Friday evening. He urged the public not to believe unverified social media posts, while warning against any attempts to escalate the tension further.