Indian cinema has often been a powerful tool to revisit chapters of history that shaped the nation’s journey. Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, known for his bold political dramas, is now bringing The Bengal Files, a film that takes audiences back to one of the most violent and lesser-discussed events in India’s history – the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings and the Noakhali riots. Scheduled for release on 5 September 2025, the film aims to shed light on incidents that remain a painful memory yet underrepresented in mainstream narratives.
The Bengal Files Movie 2025
The Bengal Files is the third and final part of Agnihotri’s acclaimed Files Trilogy after The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files (2022). The film dramatizes the tragic events of Direct Action Day, also known as the Great Calcutta Killings, which took place on 16 August 1946, and the subsequent communal violence in Noakhali.
The Bengal Files revisits India’s forgotten 1946 chapter, highlighting Calcutta Killings and Noakhali riots, exposing silenced truths through cinematic storytelling.
These riots, marked by large-scale killings, destruction of homes, and displacement of thousands, remain one of the darkest chapters in India’s pre-independence history. By portraying these events as a “genocide,” Agnihotri claims the film highlights truths that were deliberately ignored or silenced in historical discourse.
Historical Background: Calcutta Killings and Noakhali Riots
Direct Action Day was called by the Muslim League under Muhammad Ali Jinnah to demand the creation of Pakistan. The protests spiraled into unprecedented communal violence in Calcutta. Over the course of several days, thousands were killed, and countless homes were destroyed.
The chaos of Calcutta was soon followed by another wave of violence in Noakhali, Bengal, where large-scale massacres, forced conversions, and displacement of Hindus occurred. These twin tragedies not only deepened communal divisions but also accelerated the path to Partition in 1947.
Agnihotri’s film is expected to present these episodes as a deliberate cleansing and not just riots, adding a provocative angle to how these events are remembered.
Star Cast of The Bengal Files
The film features an ensemble cast of celebrated actors, each known for strong screen presence:
- Darshan Kumar – who earlier played a central role in The Kashmir Files
- Pallavi Joshi – National Award-winning actress and producer of the trilogy
- Mithun Chakraborty – veteran actor returning with another pivotal role
- Anupam Kher – known for powerful performances in socially relevant dramas
- Simrat Kaur, Saswata Chatterjee, Namashi Chakraborty, Rajesh Khera, Puneet Issar, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Sourav Das, and Mohan Kapur
This diverse cast ensures a mix of gravitas and freshness, aiming to connect with both older and younger audiences.
The Files Trilogy: A Cinematic Movement
Vivek Agnihotri’s Files Trilogy is positioned as a body of work that questions official histories and exposes what he calls “forgotten truths.”
- The Tashkent Files (2019): Focused on the mysterious death of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in Tashkent.
- The Kashmir Files (2022): Brought global attention to the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s, sparking nationwide debate.
- The Bengal Files (2025): Now turns to Bengal’s partition-era violence, presenting it as a genocide silenced in mainstream narratives.
By choosing controversial and emotionally charged subjects, Agnihotri has carved a niche where cinema doubles as political commentary and historical re-examination.
Why The Bengal Files Matters Today
The relevance of The Bengal Files lies not just in retelling history but in how it resonates with India’s current socio-political climate. Questions of identity, communal harmony, and historical accountability continue to be debated in the public sphere.
For younger generations unfamiliar with Direct Action Day or Noakhali, the film may serve as an introduction to events that shaped Partition and modern India. For historians and critics, it will likely stir debate over historical representation, interpretation, and artistic liberty.
Release and Anticipation
The Bengal Files is slated to release on 5 September 2025, making it one of the most awaited political dramas of the year. Following the massive impact of The Kashmir Files, expectations are high that this film will once again spark widespread discussion and possibly controversy.
Audiences, policymakers, and critics alike will be watching closely as Agnihotri presents what he calls the silenced truths of Bengal’s past.
With The Bengal Files, Vivek Agnihotri concludes his trilogy on modern Indian history by spotlighting the forgotten horrors of the 1946 Calcutta Killings and Noakhali riots. Featuring a stellar cast and backed by a history-shaping narrative, the film is set to ignite discussions not only about the past but also about how India chooses to remember it.
For readers of Nera News, this film represents another instance where cinema goes beyond entertainment, becoming a medium of historical reckoning and public debate.