The Bengal Files Set for Digital Premiere This November
After its theatrical run earlier this year, Vivek Agnihotri's much-discussed film 'The Bengal Files' is now preparing for its digital debut. The controversial historical drama will become available for streaming on the Zee5 platform from November 21, 2025, bringing the powerful narrative directly to viewers' homes.
Exploring Bengal's Forgotten History
The film delves into the tragic events surrounding the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings, also known as Direct Action Day, and examines how this violent episode influenced the country's partition and eventual independence. Featuring an ensemble cast including veteran actors Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Simrat Kaur, and Saswata Chatterjee, the movie aims to shed light on what Agnihotri describes as "forgotten chapters of our collective conscience."
In an official statement, the director expressed his vision for the project, emphasizing that "The Bengal Files is not just a film; it's a reminder of the price of silence." He further added, "Through this story, we wanted to bring Bengal's pain, courage, and truth to the forefront. I'm glad that this story will now reach every home—every viewer who wants to know what really happened."
Box Office Performance and Film Details
Despite its ambitious scope and star-studded cast, the film struggled to replicate the commercial success of Agnihotri's previous works. According to industry reports from Sacnilk, 'The Bengal Files' was produced on a budget of approximately Rs 35 crore but managed to earn only around Rs 16.79 crore during its theatrical run.
The movie represents the third installment in Agnihotri's 'Files' trilogy, following 'The Tashkent Files' and 'The Kashmir Files'. Additional cast members include Eklavya Sood, Namashi Chakraborty, Rajesh Khera, Puneet Issar, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Sourav Das, Mohan Kapur, Anubha Arora, and Madalsa Sharma.
Originally titled 'The Delhi Files: The Bengal Chapter', the production underwent a title change to better align with its narrative focus. The film initially released in theaters on September 5, 2025, where it faced stiff competition from Tiger Shroff's action sequel 'Baaghi 4' and the Hollywood horror film 'The Conjuring: Last Rites'.
With its upcoming digital release on Zee5, 'The Bengal Files' is poised to find a wider audience and spark further conversation about this crucial period in Indian history that continues to resonate through generations.
