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Director Vivek Agnihotri said film trailers are typically released in theaters and this one was scheduled to be no different. However he discovered that one of the largest multiplex chains declined to host the event when he came back to Kolkata from the USA. Significant political pressure was cited as the cause.
'The Bengal Files' trailer launch halted
Kolkata: The Bengal Files trailer was released today on Saturday but it encountered unforeseen issues in Kolkata. At noon the trailer was scheduled to be unveiled but the event was halted by the Kolkata police. The trailer release was postponed by an hour due to the significant commotion this caused.
The incident angered director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and his wife actress Pallavi Joshi. They claimed that their voice was being surpressed and asked why their film was the target of such actions. Speaking candidly about a big chain of movie theaters calling off the trailer launch event.
He said film trailers are typically released in theaters and this one was scheduled to be no different. However he discovered that one of the largest multiplex chains declined to host the event when he came back to Kolkata from the USA. Significant political pressure was cited as the cause.
Officials at the theater were concerned that the trailers release would spark political unrest. Agnihotri added that they encountered the same response when they went to another multiplex: there was too much political pressure to hold the event. If they knew this would occur he asked why would they bring so many actors and crew members and spend so much money?
The trailer should be released in Bengal the director feels because that is where the movie is set. However the trailer was unveiled in a hotel banquet hall since the theaters declined. According to him this is the first time it has ever happened.
Agnihotri questioned why they were trying to keep their voices quiet. He also inquired as to why the authorities had called off their trailer launch event. Agnihotri claimed that a large number of police complaints or FIRs had been made against him primarily by ruling party members rather than by regular citizens.
He stated that the West Bengal Chief Minister had warned them that the film would not be permitted in Bengal when they first announced it. He inquired as to what problem the movie genuinely brings up and why the government is terrified. The incident has spurred discussion about political influence and freedom of expression in the film industry. In spite of the obstacles Vivek Agnihotri is adamant about getting his movie in front of people.
