Film Industry Body Opposes West Bengal’s Ban on The Bengal Files
Bollywood Desk, Delhi Magazine: The Federation of Western Cine Employees (FWICE) has strongly opposed the West Bengal government’s ban on the controversial film The Bengal Files.
In a statement released today, FWICE termed the ban “illegal” and urged theatre owners across West Bengal to immediately begin screening the film.
“We appeal to all theatre owners in West Bengal to immediately begin screening Bengal Files… and also appeal to all the Producer bodies to raise objections against this illegal ban,” the statement read.
The move comes amid an intensifying debate over censorship, freedom of expression, and the rights of filmmakers in India. While the state government has cited “law and order concerns” for restricting the release, industry bodies and free speech advocates argue that such bans set a dangerous precedent.
With FWICE’s intervention, the pressure on theatre owners and producer associations is expected to grow in the coming days, potentially escalating the standoff between the film industry and the West Bengal government
About The Bengal Files
The Bengal Files is the third installment in Vivek Agnihotri’s Files Trilogy, following The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files (2022). This political drama spans a staggering 204 minutes, making it one of the longest Indian films, and was released on September 5, 2025 Wikipedia.
The narrative shifts between historical events—specifically the communal violence of Direct Action Day (1946) and the Noakhali riots—and a contemporary CBI investigation into a missing journalist, portrayed by Darshan Kumaar, uncovering long-buried truths.
Critically, the film has been described as “raw,” “intense,” and “gut-wrenching.” Reviews note its relentless, graphic portrayal of violence and its attempt to bring to light “a chapter of Indian history rarely touched upon in popular culture”.
The Bengal Files enjoyed a highly successful U.S. pre-release tour, drawing packed audiences and strong emotional responses across major cities. Beginning with a full-house premiere at AMC Tysons Corner in Virginia on July 20, 2025—where director Vivek Agnihotri described the film as a form of “soft power” to spark global conversations—the tour continued with an exclusive Chicago screening on August 9, hosted by the Global Indian Diaspora Foundation as part of the “One Truth. Ten Cities” series, complete with a cultural evening, red-carpet welcome, and panel discussions that praised the film for reviving a “forgotten chapter of history.” The momentum carried into New Jersey, where the first show was declared officially sold out, and concluded with a special Beverly Hills screening on August 28, featuring both Agnihotri and actor Pallavi Joshi in a post-screening Q&A that further engaged diaspora audiences.
