Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri said in a video released on social media that the trailer of his upcoming film, The Bengal Files was not allowed to take place in Kolkata due to ‘political pressure’.

In a video shared on X, Vivek said that his entire team had landed in the city for the trailer launch after obtaining all the permissions. “So, our entire team came to Kolkata, but now we have to come to know that the event has been cancelled,” he said. “The reason given by the theatre chain for cancelling the trailer launch is that they have a lot of political pressure and they don’t want any political turmoil.”

He added, “This is very sad. It is a very sad commentary on our democracy. Are their two constitutions in India, one for Indians and the other for West Bengal?”

In the caption of the video, Vivek wrote, “Just landed in Kolkata and learnt that the venue for the trailer launch of The Bengal Files is cancelled. Who wants to suppress our voice? And why? But I can’t be silenced. Because truth can’t be silenced. Trailer will be launched in Kolkata. Please share this video and support our free speech."

Earlier, the film’s teaser was unveiled which showed Anupam Kher as playing the role of MK Gandhi and Pallavi Joshi plays Maa Bharati.

The film will revisit the chilling events of Direct Action Day and the 1946 Calcutta killings. Another poster was also shared by the makers featuring a woman as Goddess Durga. It is the third part of the trilogy of films that include, The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files. 

The Bengal Files is written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri and produced by Abhishek Agarwal and Pallavi Joshi. It is presented by Tej Narayan Agarwal and I Am Buddha. The ensemble cast includes Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Anupam Kher, and Darshan Kumar. It is slated to release on September 5.