The Bengal Files Movie Review: Vivek Agnihotri’s Divisive Drama Falls Flat

Introduction

Vivek Agnihotri returns with The Bengal Files, a film that promises an investigative look at Bengal’s tragic history, particularly Direct Action Day on August 16, 1946. Following the template of his earlier controversial outing, The Kashmir Files, this three-hour-plus drama tries to blend history with present-day political commentary. However, it struggles to offer nuance, presenting events and characters in broad strokes while prioritizing agenda over storytelling.

Rating: ⭐ 1/5

Plot Overview

The movie moves between two timelines: the 1940s leading up to the Partition, and the present day.

• Present-day: CBI officer Shiva Pandit (Darshan Kumaar) is tasked with solving the case of a missing Dalit girl, Gita. His investigation leads him to the house of Bharati Banerjee (Pallavi Joshi), an elderly woman suffering from Alzheimer’s.

• 1940s timeline: The film recounts Bharati’s youth—her rebellious streak, her encounters with Gandhi (Anupam Kher), and her experiences during Direct Action Day, witnessing communal riots led by Ghulam Husseini (Namashi Chakraborty).

The story tries to balance Hindu and Muslim perspectives, showing Hindu resistance under Gopal Patha, but the attempt feels shallow, lacking depth or emotional resonance.

Themes and Execution

Agnihotri’s agenda-driven storytelling is clear. The horrors of the past are linked to contemporary politics, suggesting that Bengal is on the verge of repeating historical mistakes. However, the narrative comes across as propagandist rather than reflective, with excessive focus on sensational violence—including graphic murders, beheadings, and sexual assaults—that appears intended more to provoke than inform.

The film also leans heavily on simplistic characterizations, reducing individuals to archetypes: Muslim characters as fanatics or opportunists, Hindu characters as reactive heroes. This broad-brush approach sacrifices nuance and emotional connection, leaving viewers with a bleak and didactic experience.

Performances

• Darshan Kumaar: Adequate as the investigating officer but lacks emotional depth.

• Pallavi Joshi: Struggles to elevate a one-dimensional character.

• Anupam Kher & Mithun Chakraborty: Limited by thin writing, appearing more symbolic than real.

• Namashi Chakraborty & Saswata Chatterjee: Their portrayals of antagonists feel exaggerated, reducing believability.

Across the board, the performances feel perfunctory, weighed down by the relentless runtime and heavy-handed script.

Direction and Cinematography

Agnihotri’s direction emphasizes shock over substance. The film’s visual style is competent, but it cannot compensate for the lack of storytelling finesse. Scenes are often prolonged, dialogue-heavy, and repetitive, resembling a tedious history lecture rather than a cinematic experience.

Verdict

The Bengal Files is a polarizing and exhausting watch. Even if one overlooks the political undertones, the film fails as a narrative, burdened by overlong runtime, relentless violence, and underdeveloped characters. Its attempt to link historical tragedy to present-day politics comes across as manipulative rather than enlightening.

For those seeking thoughtful historical drama, this is not the film to watch. It’s a reminder that cinema’s power lies not in provocation alone but in storytelling that engages, informs, and resonates.