Anupam Kher praised Vivek Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files, highlighting audience emotions and technical brilliance. Meanwhile, FWICE condemned West Bengal’s undeclared ban on the film, urging authorities to uphold freedom of cinema and ensure nationwide screenings without disruption.
Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who plays the role of Mahatma Gandhi in Vivek Agnihotri’s latest directorial The Bengal Files, recently watched the film in a theatre and shared the audience’s powerful emotional reactions. The movie, which deals with the tragic and often overlooked history of Bengal during the riots preceding India’s Partition, has already sparked conversations nationwide.
Kher took to social media to describe his experience, stating that the audience was visibly moved by the narrative. According to him, many viewers were reduced to tears while watching the plight of those who suffered and lost everything during the traumatic period. He revealed that people were experiencing “a sea of emotions” while watching the movie.
Sharing a selfie with Vivek Agnihotri, producer-actress Pallavi Joshi, and members of the team, Kher penned an emotional note:
“Watched @vivekagnihotri’s #TheBengalFiles in a 80% theatre full of people of all ages! The film is shocking, saddening, emotionally disturbing, and at places numbing too. Audiences were going through a sea of emotions. At places crying for the people who lost everything in those riots before partition.”
The veteran actor also praised the technical brilliance of the film, lauding its direction, cinematography, background music, costumes, and performances. He highlighted Vivek Agnihotri’s role as the captain of the ship, writing:
“All departments in the film are A-Grade! Acting, sets, cinematography, background music, costumes. But as they say the CAPTAIN of the ship undoubtedly is #VivekAgnihotri. BRILLIANT! Go watch it. This kind of Cinema is equally important! Talking about the past can heal the present and teach us a few lessons for the future.”
FWICE Raises Concern Over West Bengal Ban
While the film is drawing praise from prominent voices like Anupam Kher, it has also found itself at the center of a political and cultural storm. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) recently expressed concern regarding an undeclared ban on the screening of The Bengal Files across West Bengal.
The Federation underlined that the movie has already been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), making it legally eligible for nationwide release. According to FWICE, the obstruction of screenings in West Bengal is not only unlawful but also undermines the established framework of film exhibition in India.
In a strong statement, FWICE appealed to the government to intervene immediately:
“We appeal to all theatre owners in West Bengal to immediately begin screening ‘The Bengal Files’. The film represents significant investment, effort, and artistic labour of the filmmakers, and its audience deserves the opportunity to view it freely. We stand by the Producers of ‘The Bengal Files’ and appeal to all the Producer bodies across the country to raise their objections against this illegal ban.”
A Film That Sparks Dialogue
Directed by Vivek Agnihotri, The Bengal Files follows the filmmaker’s tradition of tackling sensitive socio-political issues through cinema. The film seeks to shed light on a dark chapter of Indian history, focusing on the tragedies faced by ordinary people during the riots that preceded the Partition.
Anupam Kher’s endorsement adds weight to the film’s message, especially given his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi — a symbolic representation of peace and resilience during one of India’s most turbulent times. His reaction to the audience’s overwhelming emotions underscores the film’s ability to connect deeply with viewers.
Looking Ahead
The controversy over the ban in West Bengal has intensified the spotlight on The Bengal Files. Supporters of the film argue that cinema, especially one cleared by CBFC, must not be silenced by unofficial restrictions. At the same time, audience responses like those shared by Anupam Kher suggest that the film has the power to provoke thought, empathy, and dialogue on historical wounds that still resonate in contemporary India.
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Whether the state of West Bengal reconsiders the ban remains to be seen. For now, the conversation surrounding The Bengal Files is not only about cinema but also about freedom of expression, historical accountability, and the right of audiences to engage with their past through art.
