Kolkata, August 18, 2025: Actor Saswata Chatterjee has clarified his stance on the growing controversy surrounding The Bengal Files, stating that he was not informed of the complete storyline and is not responsible for the film’s political interpretations.
In an interview with The Wall, Chatterjee emphasised his limited involvement in the overall narrative of the film. “I am just an actor. I liked a character and I played it. I am not a historian to think about what history says and whether this is distorting history. That’s not my job,” he said.
Chatterjee’s remarks come just days after the trailer launch of The Bengal Files was called off in Kolkata. The cancellation led to strong criticism from director Vivek Agnihotri, who accused the West Bengal government of stifling free expression.
The actor also addressed the change in the film’s title from The Delhi Files to The Bengal Files. “When we were shooting, the name was Delhi Files. I learned about the new title after filming had wrapped. That decision was out of my hands,” he noted.
Chatterjee, who plays the antagonist in the film, said he was only briefed on his character arc. “These days, actors are often told only about their parts. I found the character fascinating, it’s a rare villain role, so I agreed to do it.”
The Bengal Files: Freedom Fighter’s Grandson Files Complaint
A significant part of the controversy involves the portrayal of Gopal Mukherjee, a Bengali freedom fighter known for his role in quelling the 1946 riots. The trailer refers to a character as “Ek Tha Kashai Gopal Patha,” which has been linked to Mukherjee.
Shantanu Mukherjee, Gopal Mukherjee’s grandson, has taken legal action against Agnihotri, alleging historical misrepresentation. “Calling him ‘Kashai’ or ‘Patha’ is disrespectful. He fought for freedom alongside leaders like Subhash Chandra Bose. Agnihotri should have verified the facts and spoken to us,” Shantanu stated.
A legal notice and FIR have been filed, with demands for a public apology and removal of misleading content.
The Bengal Files has also drawn multiple FIRs in West Bengal for allegedly portraying the state in a negative light. The production team claims the opposition is politically motivated. Agnihotri is scheduled to address these concerns in a press conference in Delhi on August 18.
Featuring an ensemble cast including Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, and Puneet Issar, The Bengal Files is scheduled for theatrical release on September 5, 2025.
