Police stops trailer launch of 'Bengal Files' at Kolkata, claim permission was not taken

The trailer launch of Director Vivek Agnihotri's upcoming film, The Bengal Files, was abruptly halted on Saturday at an event in the ITC Royal Bengal hotel, leading to a major controversy. The event, which was scheduled to unveil the trailer for his new film, was reportedly stopped twice amidst a chaotic scene, with electrical wires inside the hotel allegedly cut to prevent the screening. This disruption quickly escalated, drawing police intervention and prompting accusations of political "autocracy" from the filmmaker.

The confusion began when police officers entered the hotel ballroom to stop the launch for the second time, leading to tense discussions between the authorities and the event organizers. Following the intervention, Vivek Agnihotri was seen being escorted out of the hotel by his private security team. The incident has cast a shadow over the film's promotional campaign, which has been mired in controversy since its inception.

According to the hotel authorities, the reason for the abrupt halt was a procedural one, claiming that the director's team did not have the required permission from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to host the event. This alleged lack of a valid permit provided the official basis for the police intervention, though the filmmaker and his supporters suggest a different motive.

Vivek Agnihotri vehemently condemned the interruption, calling it a violation of his rights to free speech and a direct threat to Bengali identity. In a scathing statement, he said, "It is autocracy. My theatre trailer launch was stopped. Twice, the trailer launch was stopped inside the hotel. Bengal is demographically changing.” His remarks linked the incident to a broader narrative about political suppression and demographic shifts in the state.

The director further elaborated on his claims, telling the media that the halt was an "attack on Bengali 'asmita'" (pride/identity), particularly at a time when the West Bengal Chief Minister is highlighting the state's cultural identity. Agnihotri has been vocal about his film, which is the final chapter in his "Files Trilogy" and explores the tumultuous events of 1946 in Bengal, including the communal killings and the partition of the region.

This is not the first obstacle Agnihotri has faced in Kolkata for this film. He had initially planned a theatrical trailer launch, which he claimed was canceled by a leading multiplex chain due to "political pressure." Following that setback, he decided to host the launch at the hotel, only to face a similar fate, reinforcing his belief that there are deliberate efforts to suppress the film's message.