Latest news with #TheBengalFiles'
India Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Exclusive: Vivek Agnihotri on India's soft power, 10 US premieres of Bengal Files
Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri on Friday announced that he would showcase his upcoming film 'The Bengal Files' at 10 grand premieres in the US. In an interview with India the director now opened up on promoting his film as 'India's soft power', and beginning the worldwide promotions first than marketing the film in India.'The Bengal Files', which is the third chapter in his trilogy, will be screened at mega-premieres across the United States, starting July 19 in New Jersey and concluding on August 10 in Houston. The premiere tour will include special screenings in key cities like Chicago, Atlanta, Washington DC, Raleigh, Tampa, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay spoke about his decision to screen the film in the US first, and said, "At the time of 'The Kashmir Files', the first film of my trilogy, I had realized that Indian films don't work as the soft power for India to create a grand narrative in the world. Therefore, we decided to showcase our films in different parts of the world, even before they are released in India. We have seen the success of the Kashmir Files, we have seen the grand, unprecedented success of 'The Kashmir Files'." The director said his films stand for the truth, the kind of uncomfortable narrative that most filmmakers shy away from. He explained, "Because these narratives people wanted to know, these truths people wanted to know, but nobody was telling them. The films which had truth in them were made small like our films, but they were only for domestic consumption, and the world never got to know about those stories. So therefore, instead of going to the international market, we decided that we will go top to down."advertisementAgnihotri talked about what he called the 'top to bottom' approach for the promotion of his film. He said the journey of 'The Bengal Files' promotions will begin in the US with the 10 grand premieres across the country."We will start with international market and come to India. This is something which is very close to my heart, and I am very very happy, delighted and proud that the Bengal Files is going to reach people in US, policymakers, congressmen, senators, media people, blacks, Jews, people from different diverse international communities, and they will understand that what happens when a community is being persecuted for more than 1000 years. And it also gives a message that why it is so important for every citizen of the world to protect humanity," he went on. Agnihotri continues, "And this film conveys that, and that's why I am taking this film to the USA, and all the local organisers and our national partners in the USA, Kohona and GKPD, are working so hard. And this work is done only by volunteers. It's not a commercial project; it's a purely philanthropic charity and non-profit exercise by the volunteers who want to promote truth cinema."advertisementAgnihotri's decision to promote 'The Bengal Files' in the overseas market first also comes from the audience's response to 'The Kashmir Files' in the same market. The filmmaker enjoys a growing global appeal and the rising excitement for his kind of cinema beyond India.A teaser for 'The Bengal Files' was released earlier this month, featuring all the prominent cast members. One striking scene featured Goddess Durga's idol engulfed in flames. Later, as the scene became a topic of discussion on social media, the filmmakers clarified that they had backed the story by thorough teaser was headlined as: "If Kashmir hurt you, then Bengal will haunt you."The Bengal Files is written and directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and produced by Abhishek Agarwal and Pallavi Joshi. It stars Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Anupam Kher, and Darshan Kumar. The film, presented by Tej Narayan Agarwal and I Am Buddha, is a part of Agnihotri's Files trilogy that includes 'The Kashmir Files' and 'The Tashkent Files'. It will arrive in theatres on September 5, 2025.- Ends
India Today
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Vivek Agnihotri takes jibe at John Abraham's Goal, slams stardom system in Bollywood
Director Vivek Agnihotri recently recalled his shooting experience with John Abraham during 'Dhan Dhana Dan Goal' (2007). Agnihotri mentioned that he faced challenges while working on the film with Abraham while blaming Bollywood's stardom system that relies on popular 'The Bengal Files' director, in an interview with Dainik Bhaskar, stated that Abraham was cast in the sports-drama since he was himself a footballer. He admitted that "there were a lot of problems that happened," during the shoot of 'Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal'.advertisementAgnihotri said, "The entire ecosystem is dependent on an incompetent, very mediocre actor's intelligence. How the marketing should be done, who should be on the poster." "Everyone was like, 'Let's take John, he is a footballer. That's how he became a part of the film. In all of John's scenes, we had to shoot his face and feet separately," he director, without mentioning Abraham, referred to the film 'Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal', and said, "If someone tells me 'reduce my dialogues' Why? Because you can't say them at once? You can't say five lines of dialogues in rhythm at once. This is your problem. Then why are you taking so much money?"Agnihotri directed 'Dhan Dhana Dan Goal', which also featured Bipasha Basu, Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani, Raj Zutshi, Dalip Tahil, Dibyendu Bhattacharya and others in pivotal director recently launched the teaser for his upcoming political-drama 'The Bengal Files', based on the 1940s communal violence in undivided Bengal. Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Puneet Issar and Saswata Chatterjee, among others, feature in the by Abhishek Agarwal and Pallavi Joshi, the film is presented by Tej Narayan Agarwal and I Am Buddha Productions. 'The Bengal Files' is the third film from Agnihotri's 'Files' series, which previously included 'The Tashkent Files' and 'The Kashmir Files'.The film is scheduled to hit the screens on September 5, Watch
India Today
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Vivek Agnihotri says Deepika Padukone was unaware of JNU politics during 2020 visit
Director Vivek Agnihotri shared his opinion on actor Deepika Padukone's 2020 visit to JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University).He said that Padukone may not have been aware of the politics at JNU during her an interview with Shubhankar Mishra for his YouTube podcast, Agnihotri claimed that the actor might have been persuaded by her PR team to join the students' protest at The 'The Bengal Files' director said, "I can guarantee that Deepika had no idea about JNU politics when she went there."On being interrupted about whether he was implying that the actor was not smart enough, Agnihotri further said, "It's not about being dumb.""Her PR must've told her that this is a good opportunity to promote your film, because the university is associated with politics, and the film is also political. If she had known, she wouldn't have come," the director went emphasised that associating with politics can lead to inevitable risks. He said, "You play with fire, you get burned.""I don't know her personally, so I don't know what ideology she aligns with. I do know that she is a very smart and intelligent woman," the director further said, "Had she known that this is a politically sensitive place and that it might impact her career, she would've definitely not gone.""During film promotions, there are too many voices telling stars what to do and who to speak to. Her PR was mistaken, they thought it was an event. But it wasn't an event. Bigger fish than her have been fried for getting involved in politics," he played an acid-attack survivor, Malti, in 'Chhapaak', based on a tragic real-life the promotion of her film, she visited JNU in solidarity with students protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).Agnihotri, known for being politically vocal on various issues, recently unveiled the teaser of his political-drama 'The Bengal Files'."The film features Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Puneet Issar and Saswata Chatterjee, among others in crucial roles.'The Bengal Files' is scheduled to release on September Watch
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Materialists' review, Aamir Khan interview
Bollywood Anurag Kashyap slams Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos over 'Sacred Games' remarks Badshah sparks outrage after saying he wants to 'make babies' with Dua Lipa After Rana Daggubati, Kajol slams paparazzi culture as 'disrespectful' and intrusive Paresh Rawal responds to fan calling him 'Hera Pheri' hero, further confirms exit from third part Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri renames new film 'The Delhi Files' to 'The Bengal Files' Hollywood Apple unveils world's first haptic movie trailer for Joseph Kosinski's 'F1' Pixar taps 'Elemental' director Peter Sohn for 'Incredibles 3' as Brad Bird hands over the reins 'The Last of Us' Season 3 confirmed With Kaitlyn Dever in lead role Robert Eggers to direct 'A Christmas Carol' movie for Warner Bros.; Willem Dafoe in consideration to star Jury convicts Harvey Weinstein of top charge in the retrial of his landmark #MeToo sex crimes case Regional It's official: Jr NTR, not Allu Arjun, to star in Trivikram's film Deepika Padukone to play warrior queen in Atlee-Allu Arjun's magnum opus film 'Lokah - Chapter 1: Chandra': Kalyani Priyadarshan and Naslen headline Dulquer Salmaan's superhero universe film 'NBK 111': Nandamuri Balakrishna reunites with Gopichandh Malineni for his next 'Revolver Rita': Keerthy Suresh starrer locks release date Trailers In 'Panchayat' Season 4 trailer, election battle brings chaos in Phulera village Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal face off in Ari Aster's 'Eddington' trailer In 'Akhanda 2: Thaandavam' teaser, Balakrishna returns as Lord Shiva's ferocious, trishul-slinging soldier Diljit Dosanjh plays a charming sleuth in 'Detective Sherdil' trailer Matthew McConaughey embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue children from a wildfire'The Lost Bus' teaser Essential Reading Aamir Khan interview | 'No troll can stop a good film' The actor speaks about his new film, 'Sitaare Zameen Par', the miasma of trolling and negativity that befogs his recent releases, and his hopes for the theatrical business in India Decoding the Kamal-Kannada episode Democratic opposition to views can be voiced, but issuing violent threats or denying someone their right to live must be treated as punishable crimes Salil Chowdhury: The man, the music, the message Revisiting the composer-writer-poet's unmatched musical oeuvre on his birth centenary year Ocean With David Attenborough Directors of the documentary 'Ocean With David Attenborough', Keith Scholey and Colin Butfield, speak of all the things David Attenborough brings to the table Interview | Malayalam filmmaker Vinod AK : 'Moonwalk' is inspired by several real-life stories 'Moonwalk', directorial debut of Vinod AK, an ad filmmaker, celebrates the breakdancing culture of the late '80s through the heartwarming story of a group of youngsters From pencil to picture: Rathan Gangadhar's 'Sees Kaddi' draws from life and friendship Ad filmmaker-turned-director, Rathan Gangadhar's debut film uses the metaphor of a pencil to tell interlinked stories Interview I 'Narivetta' writer Abin Joseph says the story was about tracking the lead character's journey Abin Joseph, who wrote the script of 'Narivetta,' says writing a screenplay affords a degree of freedom that a short story or novella does not What to watch 'Materialists' is Celine Song's rueful audit of modern romance Read the full review here 'How to Train Your Dragon' soars smoothly on the wings of the original Read the full review here 'Rana Naidu 2' is an improved season, even if not consistently smarter Read the full review here 'Ronth' is an engrossing cop drama that does not miss a beat Read the full review here Diganth is delightful in 'Edagaiye Apaghatakke Karana', an engaging crime comedy Read the full review here All hail women in 'Our Times', a time-hopping romance Read the full review here Ritu Varma impresses in her debut web series 'Devika & Danny' Read the full review here 'The Accountant 2' adds up to a fairly good time Read the full review here
India Today
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
The Bengal Files teaser: A chilling story with powerhouse performers
An image of Goddess Durga's idol burning ends the teaser for 'The Bengal Files'. Directed and written by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, the film aims at diving deep into Bengal's political and cultural history, claiming to reveal some unsaid makers released the teaser for the film on Thursday, promising an engaging and 'haunting' watch. The video, which was released on social media, gave a glimpse of all the prominent actors in the film. Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Puneet Issar and Saswata Chatterjee, among others, feature in the teaser opens with a sad voice claiming, "Main ek Kashmiri Pandit hoon, islye yakeen ke sath keh sakta hoon ki Bengal ek dusra Kashmir banta ja raha hai (I am a Kashmiri Pandit, and therefore, I can say with full confidence that Bengal is turning into another Kashmir)." We hear claims about communal politics, and a man asking who is really independent even after 80 years of independence from British rule. The teaser presents intense sequences hinting at the emotional and historical tone of the film. The visuals seem raw and impactful, evoking a sense of the teaser of 'The Bengal Files' here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by #IAmBuddha (@iambuddha_films)Produced by Abhishek Agarwal and Pallavi Joshi, the film is presented by Tej Narayan Agarwal and I Am Buddha Productions. 'The Bengal Files' is the third film from Agnihotri's 'Files' series, which previously included 'The Tashkent Files' and 'The Kashmir Files'.It is scheduled to hit the screens on September Watch IN THIS STORY#Anupam Kher
