There are movie trailers that quietly drop into our timelines, and then there’s the Bengal Files movie trailer, which exploded onto the internet on August 16, 2025—79 years after Direct Action Day, the historical event at the film’s core. From the makers of The Kashmir Files and The Tashkent Files, this trailer was released by Zee Studios and instantly turned into headline gold. Planned as a grand unveiling in Kolkata, the trailer launch itself became news. A last-minute cancellation due to “political pressure” at a leading cinema chain only amplified the buzz, with director Vivek Agnihotri doubling down and moving the event to a local hotel anyway. If there’s one thing the Bengal Files movie trailer delivered, it’s drama—both onscreen and off.
The Bengal Files Movie Trailer:
Why did it make the news?
The launch of the trailer for the much-anticipated movie The Bengal Files in Kolkata on August 16, 2025, hit a major roadblock amid political tensions and police intervention. Director Vivek Agnihotri didn’t hold back, calling the halt an example of “total dictatorship.” The drama unfolded after the initial plan to release the trailer at popular multiplexes in Quest Mall—PVR and INOX—was abruptly canceled by the venues themselves. Following this, the trailer launch was shifted to the ITC Royal Bengal hotel. However, Kolkata Police stepped in again and put a stop to the event there as well. Actor Pallavi Joshi, also part of the film, expressed her displeasure, saying she “absolutely did not like the way” the trailer launch was stopped.
Agnihotri was vocal about his frustrations, accusing the West Bengal government, especially Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s administration, of trying to suppress the film. He pointed out that Banerjee had publicly labeled The Bengal Files as propaganda and vowed to block its screening in the state. According to him, this created a scenario where he feels like there are “two Constitutions in India,” one for the country and another for West Bengal, calling the move illegal and promising to fight against it.
#Breaking: Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri claims his CBFC approved film, “The Bengal Files” trailer launch stopped in #Kolkata.
Agnihotri claims hotel authorities stopped the trailer launch last minute despite attaining all permissions for the launch. #TheBengalFiles… pic.twitter.com/MPi9BzX2Wp
— Pooja Mehta (@pooja_news) August 16, 2025
The Bengal Files dives into the communal violence that shook undivided Bengal in the 1940s, focusing on events like the 1946 Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots—episodes of significant historical communal violence and atrocities. The film aims to shed light on this tumultuous and often overlooked period in history. As the incident unfolded, the trailer launch saga became more than just a film event—it turned into a public debate about censorship, freedom of expression, and political influence. Within hours, hashtags like #TheBengalFiles and #RightToLife stormed social media, with fans and critics debating the film’s perspective and its take on historical events.
The Bengal Files Movie Trailer: All the Questions Answered
- When was the trailer released?
August 16, 2025, in Kolkata (after a venue switch due to political pressure).
- Who’s in the lead cast?
Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumaar, Simratt Kaur.
- What’s the film about?
The Bengal Files dramatizes the 1946 Direct Action Day, the Great Calcutta Killings, and subsequent riots, focusing on unheard voices and historical testimonies.
- Who made it?
Directed and co-produced by Vivek Agnihotri, supported by Abhishek Agarwal and Pallavi Joshi; it’s presented by Zee Studios.youtubeottplay+1
- When does it release?
September 5, 2025, in theatres nationwide.
- Why the controversy?
The film—and its Bengal Files movie trailer—deal with politically charged themes, resulting in heightened scrutiny and public debate, especially around its launch event.
