The Bengal Files Movie Review: Vivek Agnihotri’s Ambitious But Divisive Historical Drama
Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri returns with The Bengal Files, a film that delves into one of the lesser-known yet violent chapters of India’s history—the Direct Action Day of 1946 and the ensuing Calcutta riots. Following his previous works in the Files trilogy, this film explores historical atrocities alongside contemporary communal tensions, attempting to connect the past with present-day Bengal.
Plot
The story evolves in two timelines: the first being in 1946 during the riots, and the second being in 2025, where a committed CBI officer, Shiva Pandit (Darshan Kumar), probes the vanishing of a Dalit girl in Murshidabad. The probe intermingles with Bharti Banerjee's (Pallavi Joshi Agnihotri) story, a lady in her 90s with dementia, and the influential MLA, Sardar Husseini (Saswata Chatterjee). The story gradually reveals Bharti’s past as a young girl (Simratt Kaur Randhawa) who witnessed extreme communal violence and fought to survive amidst the chaos.
Plot and Screenplay
The Bengal Files is formatted to present both factual history and dramatic interpretation. Agnihotri emphasizes the savagery of the riots, with exhibits of arson, massacres, and public hangings. The 1946 timeline presents major characters, like Gopal Patha (Sourav Das), a leader of Hindu militias, and their attempts to save the community. At the same time, the 2025 timeline portrays the ongoing social and political intrigues in West Bengal, such as communal tensions and issues of governance.
The script has been accused of being divisive and sometimes simplistically reducing communal identities. While the movie gives a historical representation, it often resorts to a black-and-white representation of communities, which can be a turn-off for some spectators. And yet, it manages to give an unapologetic and raw portrayal of violence, which makes the events in the past seem real and powerful.
Performances
The cast gives impressive performances all around. Pallavi Joshi is outstanding as the old Bharti, playing both vulnerability and strength. Simratt Kaur powerfully plays the young Bharti, capturing her terror, resolve, and bravery. Darshan Kumar playing Shiva Pandit gives a calm and reasoned anchor in the midst of the mayhem, though some critics point out shortcomings in some of the high-intensity sequences.
Seasoned actors Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, and Namashi Chakraborty contribute gravitas to the story, albeit histrionics in acting at times appearing theatrical. Saswata Chatterjee gives a dashing performance as the villain, adding suspense to the modern plot.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
Agnihotri’s direction emphasizes realism and historical intensity. The cinematography captures both the scale of communal riots and the intimate moments of personal struggle. Background score and sound design accentuate the tension, creating an immersive atmosphere without relying on songs, which maintains the seriousness of the subject matter.
Although the technical and visual elements are good, the over-three-hour runtime of the film can become heavy. Certain sequences, especially graphic illustrations of violence, might overburden audiences, potentially impacting pacing and interest.
What Works
- Unflinching presentation of historical brutality.
- Good performances from Pallavi Joshi and Simratt Kaur.
- Effort to link historical occurrences to present-day issues.
- Genuine period detail and cinematography.
What Doesn't Work
- Communities' polarized presentation and repetitive dialogue.
- Overly lengthy runtime (3+ hours) and frequent pacing problems.
- Heavy-handed messaging and at times propagandistic.
- Underdeveloped or stereotypical characters and subplots.
Final Verdict
The Bengal Files is a visually and narratively ambitious movie that excels in performances and historical presentation but falters at divisive storytelling and excessive length. It could appeal to those who are interested in Indian history, political drama, and socio-political commentary but might come across as heavy-handed or polarizing for general audiences.
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