On Saturday, the trailer for director Vivek Agnihotri’s much-awaited show was unveiled-The Bengal Files-on that somewhat-maligned day, the Day of Direct Action (August 16).
The films deal with the tumultuous political history of West Bengal and highlight the massacre of Hindus following the Partition, giving a view to events usually brushed under mainstream narrative.
Trailer Highlights: A Glimpse into History
The opening line of the trailer comes in, saying, “Yeh Pachim Bangal hai, yaha do constitution chalta hai, ek Hinduao ka, ek Musalmanon ka”–”This is West Bengal, here two constitutions work- one for Hindus and one for Muslims”.
Another powerful dialogue rings in, “Sirf Zameen ka tukda nahi, Bharat ka light house hai Bangal”.
“This is not only about land; Bengal is the lighthouse of India”.
The makers have stated the movie was one “to expose the brutal Hindu genocide long buried by the thin egos of the mainstream”. The film boasts of an ensemble cast of brilliant actors from Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Mithun Chakraborty to Saswata Chatterjee and Sourav Das, injecting a healthy mix-from pan-Indian stars to Bengali talents.
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Audience Reactions: Praise and Tears of Joy
Agnihotri has earned applause from viewers for highlighting this dark and hidden chapter in history. As another viewer from Bengal wrote in, “As an Indian Bengali, I am thankful that at least one filmmaker has had the courage to bring this gory chapter to light.”
A viewer from Tripura shared, “I had tears in my eyes the moment I saw the trailer. Thanks to Vivek Agnihotri for making this film.” It is hoped the film will objectively portray the Partition history of Bengal to audiences all over the country.
Scene from the Cast and Crew
Describing the farcical name of a film as a wake-up call, Vivek warned, “The Bengal Files is a roar: we will not let Bengal become another Kashmir. Launching the trailer in Kolkata keeps it authentic in depicting this untold story of Hindu genocide.
If Kashmir hurt you, then Bengal will haunt you.”
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Mithun Chakraborty added: “The Bengal Files is what cinema should be–tell the stories that matter and open the people’s eyes. My character is the voice of the audience and I hope it resonates really well with everyone.”
About the Film
Written and directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and produced by Abhishek Agarwal, Pallavi Joshi, and Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, The Bengal Files is part of the Agnihotri’s Files trilogy, which includes The Kashmir Files and The Tashkent Files. It is produced under Zee Studios and presented by Tej Narayan Agarwal & I Am Buddha.
Set to release theatrically on 5 September, the work promises an experience that confronts all that India has long forgotten.
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