Why This Film Matters
The Bengal Files (2025) is director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s next entry in his “Files” series after The Kashmir Files. The movie dramatizes Direct Action Day (1946) and the Noakhali riots, weaving them into a modern-day investigative thriller.
With a runtime of over 3 hours and 24 minutes and an A-certificate from the CBFC, the film aims to mix historical testimony with dramatization. But does it deliver both cinema and truth, or does it stumble under controversy? Let’s break it down.
Trailer
Quick Facts About The Bengal Files
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Language | Hindi (also dubbed in Bengali & Telugu in select circuits) |
| Genre | Historical Drama / Political Thriller |
| Director & Writer | Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri |
| Producers | Abhishek Agarwal, Pallavi Joshi, Vivek Agnihotri |
| Production Companies | Abhishek Agarwal Arts, I Am Buddha Productions |
| Principal Cast | Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumaar, Anupam Kher, Simrat Kaur, Saswata Chatterjee, Puneet Issar, Namashi Chakraborty, Sourav Das |
| Cinematography | Attar Singh Saini |
| Editing | Shankh Rajadhyaksha |
| Music | Rohit Sharma |
| Runtime | 204 minutes 30 seconds |
| CBFC Rating | A (Adults) |
| Release Date | 5 September 2025 (India) |
Plot Summary
The story begins with a missing person case handled by a CBI officer, which slowly uncovers testimonies and archival evidence pointing back to Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots of 1946. By blending modern investigation with historical flashbacks, the film attempts to highlight forgotten massacres of Bengal before Partition.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Mithun Chakraborty | Madman Chatur |
| Pallavi Joshi | Maa Bharati |
| Darshan Kumar | Shiva Pandit (CBI Officer) |
| Simrat Kaur | Bharati (younger version) |
| Anupam Kher | Mahatma Gandhi |
| Saswata Chatterjee | Sardar Husseini, MLA (Antagonist) |
| Namashi Chakraborty | Gholam Sarwar Husseini |
| Rajesh Khera | Muhammad Ali Jinnah |
| Puneet Issar | Rajnath Singh |
| Priyanshu Chatterjee | Justice Banerjee |
| Dibyendu Bhattacharya | Rajendra Lal Roychowdhary |
| Sourav Das | Gopal Patha |
| Mohan Kapur | Suhrawardy |
| Eklavya Sood | Amarjeet Arora |
| Anubha Arora | Gauri |
| Palomi Ghosh | Sita |
Performances & Cast Review
Mithun Chakraborty
As the veteran investigator, Mithun carries much of the dramatic weight. His gravitas works, though long dialogues stretch at times.
Pallavi Joshi
True to her producer-actor dual role, Joshi balances emotion with political sharpness, especially in courtroom sequences.
Supporting Cast
Darshan Kumaar, Anupam Kher, and Saswata Chatterjee bring intensity. Newcomer Simrat Kaur leaves a mark in limited screen time.
Direction, Cinematography & Music
- Direction: Agnihotri maintains his documentary drama style, utilizing testimonies and voiceovers.
- Cinematography: Saini’s frames shift between gritty realism and dramatic re-creations of riots.
- Music: Rohit Sharma’s background score intensifies conflict scenes but sometimes overpowers dialogue.
Themes & Message
- Revisiting Bengal’s pre-Partition violence
- The fragility of communal harmony
- Political power struggles are shaping mass tragedies
This makes the film both a history lesson and a political commentary, similar to The Kashmir Files.
Ending Explained
The climax ties the modern missing-person case back to hidden testimonies of 1946, arguing that “truth buried is truth denied.” It deliberately leaves viewers questioning how history is written—and by whom.
Strengths & Weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Bold subject rarely addressed in mainstream cinema | Lengthy runtime (3h+ feels heavy) |
| Veteran cast performances | Overbearing background score |
| Mix of documentary + drama storytelling | Highly polarizing narrative, may alienate viewers |
Audience & Critical Reception
- Times of India: ★★★½ (3.5/5) — applauded performances and ambition.
- Indian Express: ★★½ (1.5/5) — criticized the heavy-handed narrative.
- Firstpost & Filmfare: Mixed ratings.
- Rotten Tomatoes: Early listing shows 4 critic reviews.
Box Office Collection
Advance Bookings (Day 1)
- ₹9.66 lakh gross
- ~3,190 tickets across ~485 shows nationwide
Day-wise India Box Office (Early Estimates)
| Day | Net Collection (₹ Cr) | Occupancy % | Screens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Sept 5, 2025) | 1.63 – 1.75 | 21.24% avg | <500 |
| Day 2 (Sept 6, 2025) | To be updated | — | — |
| Day 3 (Sept 7, 2025) | To be updated | — | — |
| Total (till Day 1) | ~1.7 Cr | — | — |
Budget (Reported)
- ₹35 crore (unofficial trade estimate) — not confirmed by producers.
With limited screens, certification hurdles overseas, and reported political pressure in West Bengal, the film opened modestly. Future collections depend heavily on word-of-mouth and show expansions.
OTT / Streaming Release
No official announcement yet. OTT rights are expected to be declared after the theatrical run.
Final Verdict – Should You Watch It?
If you’re interested in political history on screen and don’t mind a polarizing narrative, The Bengal Files delivers a raw, ambitious take. But casual viewers may find its runtime challenging.
⭐ Our Rating: 3/5
FAQs About The Bengal Files
What is the runtime of The Bengal Files?
3h 24m 30s
Why is the film controversial?
It deals with the Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots, and faced political resistance in Bengal, plus overseas certification delays.
Where can I watch The Bengal Files online?
OTT platform details have not yet been announced.Categories & Tags
