Ruckus Erupts During 'Bengal Files' Trailer Launch In Kolkata As Vivek Agnihotri Alleges Disruption

Agnihotri argued with police and accused the West Bengal government of "dictatorship/fascism," claiming the event was sabotaged despite prior arrangements.

Vivek Agnihotri's 'Bengal Files' trailer launch in Kolkata was disrupted by unidentified individuals, allegedly cutting wires.

Source : ANI

A disturbance occurred in Kolkata on Saturday at the trailer launch event for the film 'Bengal Files.' The event, attended by director Vivek Agnihotri, was disrupted by unidentified individuals, according to Agnihotri's allegations.

In one of the videos posted on social media by the news agency IANS, Agnihotri was also seen engaging in an argument with a police officer during the screening.

Kolkata, West Bengal: A disagreement occurred between film director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and police officers during the screening of The Bengal Files in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/S3WNA3pspa

— IANS (@ians_india) August 16, 2025

The director also targeted the West Bengal government over the disruption, calling it "dictatorship/fascism." "I have just got to know what some people came here (event venue in a private hotel) and cut all the wires. I don't know on whose orders this is happening," Agnihotri said during the screening.

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | 'The Bengal Files' director Vivek Agnihotri alleges disruption during trailer launch of his film, he says, " If this is not dictatorship/fascism, then what is?...Law and order in your state has failed, and this is the reason that everyone supports… pic.twitter.com/rjQc0jh7iR

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025

"You know who those people are behind us. After all tests and trials, this program was being held. The hotel managers still can't tell us why we are not allowed to continue with our program...," he added.

 

Producer Abhishek Agarwal also said that the film trailer launch was stopped midway. "At the time of 'Kashmir Files', nothing like this ever happened," he added.

 

Actor Pallavi Joshi, who was also at the event, condemned the alleged disruption, questioning the freedom of expression in the state. 

"I absolutely did not like the way my film was stopped. Is there freedom of expression in this state? As filmmakers and actors, we are not able to screen what we have made. What is the threat they are feeling? Such a thing did not happen even in Kashmir," Joshi told ANI. 

"Can we derive that the situation in Kashmir is better than in Bengal? See what is happening in Bengal today. And this is why films like 'The Bengal Files' are important. I want every person in India to watch this film to know the truth about Bengal. It is the state's responsibility to give respect to artists...," she added.