A special screening of Vivek Agnihotri’s film ‘The Bengal Files’ at the National Library on Saturday proceeded under heavy security even as organisers and some guests claimed that the film faces an “unofficial” ban in the state. The invitation-only event, held at the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Bhasha Bhavan auditorium on the National Library campus, drew roughly 500 attendees and began at 4pm.
Security at the National Library was stepped up from the morning, with visitors required to state their purpose, and bags and passes checked at the gate. Organisers said a company of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was deployed to ensure safety and prevent any untoward incident; entry to the screening compound was allowed only after passes were verified. Organisers also said that all necessary permissions for the screening had been obtained.
‘The Bengal Files’ revisits the communal riots during Direct Action Day in August 1946 in Calcutta, a subject that has sparked debate since the film’s release.
Swapan Dasgupta, president of the cultural group Khola Hawa and a member of the BJP national executive, said, “People in Bengal have the right to see the movie and that curbs on its screening are undemocratic. This unofficial ban is not acceptable,” adding the screening was a small initiative to let people decide for themselves.
Dasgupta further stated that all necessary permission for the screening of the movie at National Library had been obtained.
After the show, Agnihotri condemned what he called attempts to suppress the film in the state. “By banning this movie here, the government has proved there are two constitutions in Bengal, one the Indian Constitution, and an unofficial one that has banned the movie,” he said, urging Bengalis to resist what he described as censorship.
Agnihotri said the screening marked a historic moment and expressed regret that so much security had been required, describing the atmosphere as resembling a “war zone.”
He added that now everyone knows about Direct Action Day and Gopal Mukherjee throughout the country. “Everyone has got to know about the sacrifices made by Bengal . I appeal to all Bengalis to start a movement against the atrocities of the present government on not allowing certain films to be released,” said Agnihotri.
The screening followed earlier controversies over planned promotional events for the film in Kolkata. Agnihotri had alleged that a trailer launch was abruptly cancelled and that police and others had interfered with attempts to hold private screenings. He has also said equipment intended for a launch event was seized.
Separately, Shantanu Mukherjee, grandson of the historical figure often referred to as Gopal Patha, filed a police complaint and moved the Calcutta High Court seeking a stay on the film’s release in Bengal and removal of scenes he said showed his grandfather in a bad light; the High Court dismissed the petition.
Khola Hawa, which organised the screening, is a socio-cultural body whose leadership includes several prominent BJP figures, including West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, organisers said.
The film, which features Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar and Pallavi Joshi, opened nationally on September 5 but has met resistance to screenings in parts of Bengal.