Vivek Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files is set for a September 5 release

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has announced the release date of his next film, The Bengal Files. It opens in theatres on September 5, and if the teaser is anything to go by, it’s going to stir things up again. Vivek now has built a reputation for films that are controversial. On The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files we revisit chapters of Indian history that still remain emotionally and politically charged. While opinions around them are sharply divided, The Kashmir Files also became one of the top earners at the box office in 2022.

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri's The Bengal Files to hit screens this September

He has turned his attention to Bengal with The Bengal Files. The teaser’s tagline, “If Kashmir hurt you, Bengal will haunt you,” suggests another emotionally intense story, with layers and layers of politics and pain. The teaser, which is now up on Vivek’s Instagram, is grim and dramatic visually. The poster too carries an air of unease that keeps hinting at difficult truths.

We will see actors like Palomi Ghosh, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi and Mithun Chakraborty all together because of this project. All are seasoned actors who’ve worked across genres, and it’s clear the film is aiming for both impact and credibility. Pallavi Joshi features in a key role, continuing her frequent collaborations with Vivek.

In the lead-up to the global release, the director has taken the film on a Never Again Tour across the US. It’s a 10-city run of premieres and discussions, aimed at the Indian diaspora and anyone curious or concerned about what the film might reveal. The tour began on July 19 and will end on August 10. Plot details haven’t been revealed, but we are sure Vivek wants to confront something or reopen something. Or maybe both.

There’s no doubt the film will be watched closely, by fans and critics alike. Whether it ends up being praised, picked apart, politicised or probably all three, The Bengal Files is clearly designed to make people feel something.

For more updates, join/follow our WhatsApp, Telegram and YouTube channels.