Vivek Agnihotri, the director of the contentious Hindi film The Bengal Files, on Tuesday urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ensure an unhindered release of the film, claiming that Trinamool Congress members are intimidating theatre owners against screening it.

The film about the direct action day and the 1946 Kolkata riots is set to premiere in theaters on September 5.

In a video message posted on X, Agnihotri urged Banerjee "with folded hands" to heed his words and not to "censor a significant part of history" before the next generation through any actions.

"I plead with you, hands clasped, please do not prohibit this film," he remarked.

Stating that he has received reports from theatre owners in West Bengal who claim they are being pressured not to proceed with the screening, even though the film has not been formally banned, Agnihotri reminded the chief minister of her constitutional responsibilities.

You have sworn an oath to uphold the Indian Constitution, safeguarding every citizen’s rights and right to free expression, and it is your duty to ensure the film remains uninterrupted. "Kindly take into account that the CBFC has approved this film," he stated.

Remembering that Bengal guided the nation in cultural matters and embodied India's spirit, Agnihotri noted that the state and its citizens made the greatest sacrifices in 1905 and 1947.

Challenging the claim that showing the film would reopen old wounds from riots and violence, Agnihotri questioned, "If a Japanese child needs to learn about the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atrocities, why shouldn't the younger generation be informed about a significant aspect of the state's and nation's history?" "A genuine Bengali will not prohibit the film."

Agnihotri additionally questioned why Hindu genocide should be hidden when persecutions of Muslims, Christians, and Dalits can be depicted in films across the globe. "Why do we want to maintain falsehoods?" The contentious director also mentioned the physical halting of the film's trailer release at a luxury hotel in the city on August 17, describing it as an assault on a filmmaker's freedom of expression.

The movie stars Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Saswata Chatterjee, and Darshan Kumarr.

The film is the third part of his Files trilogy, which features Agnihotri's The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files (2022)