The Bengal Files is an upcoming Hindi-language historical drama directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, known for his provocative storytelling in The Kashmir Files and The Tashkent Files. Scheduled to release on September 5, 2025, the film is the final installment in Agnihotri’s “Files Trilogy” and explores the harrowing events surrounding the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings, including Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots.

The film stars Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, and Govind Namdev, among others, portraying historical and fictional characters caught in the chaos of pre-independence Bengal. With a runtime of 200 minutes, the film is divided into two parts, the first titled The Bengal Files: Right to Life.

Agnihotri describes the film as a bold attempt to uncover “dark chapters of history” that have long been suppressed4. Due to its sensitive content, the film has sparked political controversy, with multiple FIRs filed against the director and his team by members of West Bengal’s ruling party. Despite legal hurdles, the Calcutta High Court has granted a stay on these complaints, allowing the film’s promotion to continue.

Shot primarily in Mumbai after being denied permission to film in Bengal, The Bengal Files aims to reach every Indian citizen, especially the youth, with its message of historical truth and justice. It’s not just a film—it’s a cinematic reckoning with India’s turbulent past.