The Bengal Files Struggles at the Box Office Amid Controversy
Vivek Agnihotri’s highly anticipated third installment of the Files Trilogy, The Bengal Files, has hit rough waters at the box office. The film, based on the infamous “Direct Action Day” called by the All-India Muslim League, which led to widespread Hindu-Muslim violence, has faced significant screening hurdles in West Bengal. Distributors and exhibitors reportedly refused to showcase the film, citing local sensitivities.
While the BJP criticized the Trinamool Congress for allegedly blocking the screenings, the government maintained there was no official ban. The movie also faced criticism for allegedly distorting historical events, with some calling it propaganda. Despite the buzz, these controversies failed to translate into audience turnout.
Trade reports reveal that The Bengal Files collected only around Rs. 6.5 crore nett in its opening weekend—barely 25% of what The Kashmir Files achieved during its debut. The film started slowly and didn’t experience any major spikes over the weekend, reflecting limited audience engagement.
Industry watchers suggest that audiences may be tiring of films centered on communal riots, noting that the formula that worked once may no longer resonate.
The film stars Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Simrat Kaur, and Anupam Kher, and is jointly produced by Abhishek Agarwal, Pallavi Joshi, and Vivek Agnihotri. Despite the star-studded cast and the intense subject matter, The Bengal Files faces an uphill battle to recover its production costs and create a significant impact at the box office.
