07 May,2026 06:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The Bengal Files (Pic/X)
Following the BJP's historic win in the West Bengal Assembly Elections, there were reports that Vivek Agnihotri's The Bengal Files, which was earlier banned in the state, would be released on Friday, May 8. Responding to the reports, Vivek Agnihotri took to his Instagram Stories to confirm the release, while clarifying the release date.
Vivek reshared a report that claimed that the film would release in West Bengal on May 8, and dismissed the claim, writing, 'Next Friday,' thus confirming the film's release on May 15.
For the unversed, The Bengal Files was released on September 5, 2025, in theatres across India except West Bengal. However, after BJP's big win in the state elections, the filmmaker himself confirmed that the film is now set to hit cinemas in the state.
He also shared a note on his Instagram after BJP's win in the state, which read, "NEVER AGAIN. For those who don't know, MamataOfficial cancelled me in Bengal after the release of TheKashmirFiles. The film was taken out of cinema halls, and she said I would NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER Bengal."
The note further added, "Last year, she BANNED The Bengal Files completely in West Bengal. Our trailer launch was blocked. We were attacked and assaulted. Dozens of FIRs were filed against me. I was cancelled in Bengal. I couldn't even go to receive my award from the Governor. But we never gave up. During these elections, we ensured that TheBengal Files was shown to as many people as possible (underground) across Bengal."
He concluded, "I am glad we didn't give and fought in our own little way. And finally... this unprecedented victory.
Congratulations to the great people of Bengal. Now you can walk without fear, with your head held high."
Earlier, Vivek Agnihotri had alleged that theatre owners in Bengal refused to screen the film. A day before the film's release, Navin Choukhani, Director of Navina Cinema, had told NDTV, "It's a single screen. We had a prior commitment with Tiger Shroff's Baaghi 4. The Bengali film Dhumketu is already doing well for us. So, we are not running The Bengal Files."
However, the theatre owners had not issued any official statement on why the film was not being screened in Bengal.
