The Bengal Files Review: The third and final instalment in Agnihotri’s The Files Trilogy, “The Bengal Files“, following The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files (2022), which was surrounded by a lot of controversies, was finally released in theatres on September 5, 2025. From the film, it is confirmed that Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is a master of delivering heart-touching documentaries that can melt anybody’s heart. The film takes us to Direct Action Day (August 16, 1946), and there is so much to discuss about the film that we will discuss in this The Bengal Files review.
The Bengal Files Cast, Crew and Rating
- Director & Writer: Vivek Agnihotri
- Produces: Abhishek Agarwal, Pallavi Joshi & Vivek Agnihotri
- Stars: Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Simrat Kaur, Anupam Kher, Saswata Chatterjee, Namashi Chakraborty, and others
- Banners: Abhishek Agarwal Arts & I Am Buddha Productions
- Runtime: 204 minutes
- Rating: 4/5
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Plot: A Dark Chapter From History
The Bengal Files takes us back to the brutal truth of the 1946 Bengal riots that were reportedly triggered by the Muslim League under Muhammad Ali Jinnah as he called for Pakistan. The story takes us to Bengal’s Noakhali district, and we see how Hindu families faced mass killings, displacement, and unprecedented violence due to the riots.
Agnihotri, who has a successful portfolio of delivering bangers like The Kashmir Files, has once again presented a perfect balance of historical facts with fictional characters in The Bengal Files. The film also shifts between two timelines, that is, the 1946 riots and 2025, and here CBI officer Shiva Pandit (Darshan Kumaar) is trying to investigate a missing tribal girl’s case, which is linked to powerful politician Sardar Husseini (Saswata Chatterjee). As we move ahead, we are taken to some buried truths that will force viewers to confront uncomfortable questions: Are Indians truly free today, or are we still haunted by the same divisions?
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The Bengal Files Review: Stellar Performances
The Bengal Files review can’t be completed without appreciating the amazing performances from the star cast of the movie:
- Pallavi Joshi, who was playing as Bhartj Banerjee, has shown her skill as she played the role of a dementia-stricken survivor of the riots. She was natural, her pain felt real, and her silences were louder than words.
- Simratt Kaur Randhawa, who was playing young Bharti, also shines as she portrays a brave woman who is battling both British oppression and communal violence. She was effortless.
- Mithun Chakraborty has shown why he is one of the best, as he played the role of a disillusioned cop who is drowned in guilt and alcohol.
- Saswata Chatterjee as the ruthless Husseini and Namashi Chakraborty as Ghulam added the much-needed depth to the antagonists.
- Anupam Kher as Mahatma Gandhi and Rajesh Khera as Jinnah played very important roles, and they left a lasting impression on the viewers.
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The Bengal Files Review: Direction, Screenplay & Music
Vivek Agnihotri has been the master of storytelling for the last few years, especially based on real incidents, and The Bengal Files was another proof of it. He effortlessly combined the documented facts, personal testimonies, and intense drama to create a thought-provoking experience. However, at some point, it feels like the 204-minute runtime is too much, and graphic depictions of violence may not be for everyone.
The screenplay keeps viewers hooked despite its length, and Rohit Sharma’s background score adds the remaining spice into the film as he, with his melodies, perfectly complements the film’s emotional intensity.
Baap of Movies Final Verdict
Vivek Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files is not just a film, but it’s an emotional history lesson that will force the audience to revisit one of India’s most painful chapters. The film is a masterpiece, even though its graphic violence and long runtime can hold it back.
This movie is for you if you loved The Kashmir Files; get ready to cry with Vivek Agnihotri’s another masterpiece. However, there are a few scenes which might not be easy to see; hence, watch it with your own decision.
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