Vivek Agnihotri’s much-anticipated film The Bengal Files opened to a moderate start at the box office, collecting ₹1.63 crore (India net) on day one, according to early estimates by Sacnilk. Despite being the third entry in Agnihotri’s trilogy, the film has faced hurdles, including no theatrical release in West Bengal.
By comparison, Agnihotri’s earlier project The Kashmir Files had earned ₹3.55 crore on its opening day in 2022. Trade experts suggest that the coming weekend will determine whether The Bengal Files can build momentum, as word-of-mouth reactions remain deeply divided.
Occupancy Trends Across Cities
The film recorded mixed occupancy across key Indian cities. Chennai led with 57.5% overall occupancy, peaking at 73% during evening shows despite limited screenings. Bengaluru followed at 37.3%, with half the seats filled in evening shows. Lucknow (28%) and Hyderabad (22%) registered steady performances, while larger markets like Mumbai (18.3%) and NCR (21%), with more than 200 shows each, reported moderate footfalls.
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The Bengal Files entered theatres amid controversy, with filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri alleging that theatre owners in West Bengal were pressured not to screen the film. Producer Pallavi Joshi addressed the matter in an open letter to the President of India, calling it an “unofficial ban” despite the absence of censor objections.
Social media response has been sharply polarised. While some viewers hailed it as a “hard-hitting cinematic experience of 2025” and praised its depiction of Direct Action Day, others criticised it as biased or “propaganda”. The debate has amplified the film’s visibility, ensuring that the release remains one of the most talked-about in recent weeks.
Star Cast
The ensemble cast features Mithun Chakraborty in a central role, supported by Anupam Kher as Mahatma Gandhi and producer-actor Pallavi Joshi. The film also stars Darshan Kumar, Simrat Kaur, Saswata Chatterjee, Namashi Chakraborty, Rajesh Khera, Puneet Issar, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Sourav Das, and Mohan Kapur.
