Chaos as ‘The Bengal Files’ Trailer Launch Disrupted by Police

Udaipur, Aug 18, 2025 - The trailer of Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s film The Bengal Files was released on Saturday, August 16. It was planned for a 12-noon release but was delayed by an hour because Kolkata Police came to the event and stopped it leading to chaos.

Agnihotri and his wife, actress Pallavi Joshi, expressed their displeasure and raised questions about the incident. They said their voice is being suppressed.

Political Pressure?

In a talk with ANI, Agnihotri spoke about the cancellation of the trailer launch by a big movie theatre chain. The director said that "Film trailers are usually launched in theatres. Our film’s trailer was also planned like this. But as soon as I reached Kolkata airport from America, I came to know that one of the biggest multiplex chains refused. They said they cannot do it because of political pressure. They said if they launch our trailer, there will be political trouble."

He added that they then talked to another multiplex, but "they also said, ‘Sorry sir, there is too much political pressure, we cannot do this’. If we had known this before, why would we come here with so many teams and actors, and why would we spend so much money?”

'Attempt to Suppress Our Voice'

Vivek further said that since the film is based on Bengal, its trailer should also be launched here. “I am not someone who gives up,” he said.

The trailer was finally released in the banquet hall of a hotel instead of in a theatre.

“This is happening for the first time. But I want to know why attempts are being made to suppress our voice,” he added.

'Government Afraid of What?'

The director also asked the officials why his trailer launch event was cancelled.

He said, “On one hand, several FIRs are being filed against me. Members of the ruling party are doing this, not common people. When we announced the film, the Chief Minister of West Bengal said 'we will not allow The Bengal Files to enter here'. So, what is the government afraid of? What is the issue in this film?”