Sudipto Sen reacts after the abrupt cancellation of the Kolkata Bengal Files trailer launch, citing political pressure. Photo credit: puneripages.in
By Prashant for PuneriPages.in
Kolkata: What was supposed to be a simple trailer launch of the film Kolkata Bengal Files at a city mall turned into a political storm on Thursday. The event was abruptly cancelled, leaving the film’s director, Sudipto Sen, fuming. He openly accused the authorities of behaving in a “dictatorial” manner to silence his film.
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Director Speaks Out About the Kolkata Bengal Files Trailer Controversy
Sen didn’t mince words while talking to the media. He claimed that the Kolkata Police and local administration had pressured the mall management into pulling the plug on the screening. According to him, the film had already been cleared by the Censor Board, so there was no legal hurdle.
“We had every approval in place. Yet, under political pressure, the authorities stopped us. This is nothing short of dictatorship,” Sen said, adding that creative voices in the industry are increasingly being targeted when they dare to question or expose uncomfortable truths.
Authorities Respond to Kolkata Bengal Files Trailer Cancellation
On the other side, the mall management and police offered a safer explanation. They said the cancellation was due to “technical and security issues.” Sources suggested that officials feared a possible law-and-order situation if the trailer was shown, considering the film’s sensitive subject matter.
Of course, no one officially admitted to political interference—but the timing and suddenness of the cancellation left plenty of room for speculation.
Why This Film is Bound to be Controversial
The film’s title isn’t accidental. Kolkata Bengal Files clearly echoes The Kashmir Files—a 2022 film that sparked massive debates across the country. The BJP had hailed it as a brave truth-telling effort, while opposition parties slammed it as propaganda.
Given Bengal’s charged political climate and the constant sparring between the Trinamool Congress and BJP, it was almost inevitable that this film would stir controversy. And cancelling the trailer launch has only added more fuel to the fire.
The Bigger Picture: Kolkata Bengal Files Trailer and Freedom of Expression
This incident isn’t just about one film being stopped at a mall. It’s part of a bigger question India has been struggling with—where does freedom of expression end, and where does “maintaining law and order” begin?
On one hand, filmmakers like Sen argue that shutting down events like these is blatant censorship. On the other, authorities claim they can’t risk public unrest, especially when emotions are already running high.
Whatever the justification, one thing is clear: Kolkata Bengal Files is already making headlines before its release, and this debate over artistic freedom vs. political pressure is far from over.
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