Vivek Agnihotri is once again making headlines, this time for controversial reasons linked to his latest film, The Bengal Files. What was meant to be a celebration of success has sparked major backlash online.
The director recently posted a photo on social media showing a jam-packed theatre screening The Bengal Files. The image showed people of all age groups, including children, with many even sitting on the stairs leading to the exit.
Vivek captioned the photo, “One picture says it all,” suggesting that the film was running houseful across theatres. However, the post did not sit well with many users online.
Netizens quickly pointed out that the film holds an ‘A’ certificate from the CBFC, which restricts viewership to those aged 18 and above. In the image shared, minors were clearly seen watching the film, which contains intense violence and disturbing visuals.
The presence of underage viewers is a direct violation of CBFC guidelines. Moreover, the overcrowding and allowing people to sit on the stairs breaches basic safety regulations.
While the theatre is mainly at fault for these violations, users feel that Vivek Agnihotri should have acknowledged the issue. Instead, he shared the image proudly, ignoring the risks involved.
Now, instead of praise, the director is facing widespread criticism for promoting an unsafe and rule-breaking theatre experience in the name of box office success.
One picture says it all. pic.twitter.com/7H1rIFaTGZ
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) September 12, 2025
