Actor Saswata Chatterjee has spoken out about the growing controversy around the upcoming film The Bengal Files. In a recent interview, the actor made it clear that he is “not a historian” and therefore cannot comment on whether the film shows history correctly or not. He explained that his job was only to play the role he was given and not to check the political correctness of the story.
Saswata Chatterjee distances from Bengal controversy
Saswata Chatterjee also revealed that when he was offered the role, the movie was titled The Delhi Files. Later, after the shooting was completed, he came to know that the title had been changed to The Bengal Files. He said he was never told the reason behind this change.
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The film has been in the headlines for weeks, especially after facing multiple FIRs and criticism over the portrayal of freedom fighter Gopal Mukherjee. The trailer introduced Mukherjee with the description “Ek Tha Kashai Gopal Patha.” This upset Mukherjee’s grandson, Shantanu Mukherjee, who filed a legal notice against director Vivek Agnihotri. He argued that calling his grandfather “Kashai” (butcher) and “Patha” (goat) was disrespectful and historically wrong. He added that his grandfather was closely linked to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and the freedom movement, and deserved to be remembered with respect.
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The controversy deepened when the trailer launch event in Kolkata on August 16 was reportedly cancelled due to “political pressure.” The event was later shifted to a hotel, where director Vivek Agnihotri accused authorities of trying to silence the film. He compared the situation to “dictatorship” and “fascism,” pointing to the heavy police presence at the venue.
Despite the criticism, Saswata Chatterjee said he enjoyed playing the villain’s role in the film and that such characters are rare opportunities for actors. The film also stars Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, and Puneet Issar.
The Bengal Files is scheduled for release in theatres on September 5, 2025. With ongoing legal battles and strong reactions from different groups, the movie has already sparked heated debates even before hitting the big screen.
Author: Purnima s
Purnima | Entertainment Blogger 4+ yrs writing fun blogs on movies, celebs & trends. Pop culture addict serving fresh, binge-worthy content!
