The controversy around Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s film The Bengal Files has now entered the political space. What began in cinema halls is now raising concerns at higher levels.
The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They’ve asked for his intervention, claiming the film has not been allowed to release in West Bengal, even after getting a CBFC clearance.
According to IMPPA, distributors in Bengal are afraid due to political pressure and lack of support. They argue that such blocks affect creative rights and put heavy investments at risk.
However, many are questioning if a Bengal release would really change the film’s poor performance.
In its opening weekend, The Bengal Files collected around ₹6 crore. Even in Mumbai, one of India’s biggest film markets, the movie earned only ₹1.25 crore out of a potential ₹200 crore market.
Film critic Kamaal R Khan (KRK) tweeted: “You’re upset it hasn’t released in Bengal, but even in Mumbai, which has a much bigger market, people rejected it. West Bengal is just 8% of total business. Even if it releases there, it won’t help.”
This shows a split in views. On one side, industry groups call it an “unofficial ban” and say it’s a threat to artistic freedom.
On the other side, critics believe the film failed simply because audiences didn’t like it.
With Bengal making up just 8% of India’s box office, it’s unlikely the state could turn a flop into a hit.
