Vivek Agnihotri’s much-debated film The Bengal Files is set to have its first screening in West Bengal nearly a week after its nationwide release.

The controversial film, which explores the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings, will be shown on September 13 at Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Bhasha Bhavan in the National Library, Kolkata.

Vivek Agnihotri’s controversial film set for Bengal premiere on September 13

The screening is being organised by Khola Hawa, a BJP-backed cultural group, and will feature the presence of prominent political and cultural figures. The film stars Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, and Anupam Kher, and has been the subject of heated debates since its release.

BJP-backed Khola Hawa to host The Bengal Files screening in Kolkata

Reacting to the announcement, Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu criticised filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri during a press conference in Kolkata. He remarked that while the organisers have a right to screen the film, it has already faced nationwide restrictions. Basu further alleged that Agnihotri has been portraying himself as a victim, claiming lack of media and institutional support, which has led to limited private screenings instead of wider releases in the state.

The Kolkata screening marks the first time Bengal audiences will officially get to watch The Bengal Files, though under tight restrictions and by invitation only.