The Bengal Files Review: Vivek Agnihotri’s Bold Take on Forgotten Bengal Riots

The Bengal Files (2025) is not just another Bollywood drama—it’s the final chapter in Vivek Agnihotri’s controversial and hard-hitting Files Trilogy, after The Kashmir Files and the upcoming Delhi Files. This time, Agnihotri dives into the horrors of 1946 Bengal, bringing alive the Great Calcutta Killings and Noakhali riots.

Story: A Forgotten Chapter of History

The film opens in the present day with a CBI officer, Shiva Pandit (Darshan Kumar), investigating the mysterious disappearance of journalist Sita. Her research takes us back to Direct Action Day (16 August 1946) and the bloodshed that followed.

Through courtroom battles, survivor testimonies, and historical flashbacks, the film shows:

• How politics manipulated religion and power.

• The untold pain of Bengal’s partition-era riots.

• The struggle for survival and the right to dignity.

Agnihotri’s storytelling makes us ask: Why were these events left out of mainstream history books?

Cast: Power-Packed Performances

• Anupam Kher as Mahatma Gandhi is a bold reinterpretation—showing Gandhi’s inner dilemmas, not just the saintly image.

• Pallavi Joshi as Maa Bharati becomes the emotional soul of the film.

• Simratt Kaur (as Young Bharati) steals the spotlight with a monologue that netizens are calling “mind-blowing”.

• Mithun Chakraborty surprises with a cameo as Madman Chatur, a broken yet powerful witness.

• Darshan Kumar convincingly portrays a man torn between duty and political pressure.

Supporting actors like Saswata Chatterjee and Namashi Chakraborty strengthen the narrative.

Direction, Music & Visuals

Vivek Agnihotri sticks to his bold, no-filter style:

• Direction: Blends courtroom drama with large-scale historical recreations. At times didactic, but undeniably gripping.

• Music: Baul folk songs and background score by Parvathi add haunting depth to emotional scenes.

• Cinematography: From colonial Calcutta’s grandeur to the chaos of refugee camps, the visuals stay with you.

• Runtime: At 200 minutes, the film feels long, and some viewers may find the first half slow.
  

Audience & Critics’ Reactions

✨ Praised For:

• Hard-hitting portrayal of Bengal riots.

• Simratt Kaur’s fiery performance.

• Emotional courtroom sequences and shocking climax.
  

⚠️ Criticised For:

• Dialogue-heavy storytelling.

• Overt political tone that sometimes overshadows characters.

Overall, audiences are calling it a “mirror to forgotten history”, with ratings around 4 to 4.5 stars from most early reviews.

Box Office & Controversy

Despite bans in West Bengal, the film generated strong buzz:

• Advance bookings: ₹1.22 crore (higher than The Kashmir Files).

• Day 1 gross: ~₹6.37 lakh (Hindi only, without block seats).

• Occupancy: ~15% morning shows.

The movie has sparked heated debates, legal challenges, and political commentary—just like Agnihotri’s earlier works.

Final Verdict

The Bengal Files is intense, emotional, and unflinching. It may test your patience with its long runtime and heavy dialogues, but it leaves a lasting impact.

🎬 Watch it if: You’re interested in history, politics, or Agnihotri’s style of cinema.🚫 Skip it if: You prefer light entertainment or feel uneasy with overt political messaging.

AltBollywood Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)A bold, must-watch chapter of Indian history brought to cinema with power and pain.

Aapke Sawal, Hamare Jawab! (FAQs)

1. Is The Bengal Files based on true events? Yes. It dramatizes the 1946 Bengal riots, including Direct Action Day and the Noakhali massacres, using historical records and survivor testimonies.

2. Who gives the standout performance in The Bengal Files? While Anupam Kher and Pallavi Joshi are strong, Simratt Kaur as Young Bharati has won the most praise for her emotional monologue.

3. Is The Bengal Files connected to The Kashmir Files?Y es. It’s the final part of Vivek Agnihotri’s Files Trilogy, which explores forgotten or neglected chapters of Indian history.

4. What is the runtime of the film? The film runs for about 200 minutes (3 hours 20 minutes) with a U/A certificate.

5. Why is The Bengal Files controversial? Because it touches on sensitive communal history and challenges political narratives, leading to bans and legal petitions.