Indian documentary on Bangla turmoil blocked on YouTube
Times of India | 18 September 2025This documentary, titled ‘36 July: States Versus People', premiered in Bangladesh in Aug.
According to director Soumitra Dastidar, his documentary premiered on Bangladesh's Ekattor TV. "It was screened on Aug 4 on this Bangladesh channel. When the documentary was uploaded on YouTube, there were some copyright issues over a song by Sayan that I used. But that problem got resolved in Sept. The film was accessible to everyone in Bangladesh.
My friends from Bangladesh shared the link with me so that I could watch it here in India.
But once I clicked the link, I found that the content was blocked in this country," Dastidar said.
The documentary includes interviews with activist Badruddin Umar, journalist Tasneem Khalil, actress Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed, Tajuddin Ahmad's daughter Sharmin Ahmad, Dhaka University student leader Meghmallar Basu, and student activist Umama Fatema.
While the script and research were done by Sahed Suvo, the camera work was done by Lutfur Rahaman.
While making the film, Dastidar was aware of the risk of documenting views of supporters of the movement and the allegations he would face about compromising on objectivity. "I was always aware that the content of my documentary was sensational. Those who witnessed events have the right to articulate what they saw and believe.
As a documentary filmmaker, I too have the right to uphold that content in my film. I have not made anything that compromises our national security," the director said.
He also added that the reaction to his documentary in India has left him upset. "These are strange times. In India, a film like ‘The Bengal Files' is screened with the protection of national security while my documentary is being gagged online. This discrepancy in treatment towards two directors who are championing the cause of re-evaluating history has hurt me," he concluded.
