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Walking out of theatres after watching The Bengal Files wouldnt be easy. Why? Its gut-wrenching visuals will stay with you immersing you back into the flames of Bengal 1946. As Vivek Agnihotri is fearless and unapologetic his ‘Files’ trilogy-including The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files echoes the same spirit. The next chapter The Bengal Files which explores the untold story of Independent India highlighting the Great Calcutta Killings of 1946 and the Noakhali riots- a narrative that will test both your patience and mind. What is The Bengal Files about? The Bengal Files has its two storylines- one set in the backdrop of pre-Independence India of 1940s and the other in present day. The opening shot starts with Lord Mountbatten Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah debating and discussing about partition as the British Government Indian Congress and Muslim league demand a separate Muslim Homeland (Pakistan). While Mahatma Gandhi opposes the idea his opposition couldnt prevent the clashes between Hindu and Muslims- that continue to exist even today. At the same time the story introduces Shiva Pandit (Darshan Kumar) a CBI officer tasked to investigate the sudden disappearance of a Dalit girl named Gita Mandal from Murshidabad a Muslim-majority district in West Bengal. Initially the susception leads with Bharti Bannerjee (Pallavi Joshi) a 90-year-old woman suffering from dementia but soon shifts to the powerful MLA Sardar Husseini (Saswata Chatterjee). Under power and politics Shivas investigation becomes more challenging. But the bigger question is- how is this kidnapping case connected to the tragic Direct Action Day? Performances in The Bengal Files Pallavi Joshi shines in her portrayal as Maa Bharati. Her expressions convincingly show heart-wrenching emotions especially during an intense scene with Darshan Kumar. Essaying Gandhi Ji Anupam Kher embodies the leaders presence so well that it demonstrates that why hes considered one of the finest actors of his generation. Mithun Chakrabortys performance as the madman is very moving and impactful. Despite limited dialogues he manages to strike a chord with the audience leaving a strong and memorable impression. Saswata Chatterjee as Sardar Husseini excels as he introduces nuance and moral complexity to Vivek Agnihotris black-and-white narrative. Darshan Kumars performance of Shiv Pandit isnt his careers best but is still noticeable. Simratt Kaur Randhawa as young Bharati delivers a strong intense yet subtle performance portraying a fighter convincingly. She shares a captivating chemistry with Eklavya Sood that keeps audience engaged and eager for more. Noted actors like Dibyendu Bhattacharya Mohan Kapur and Priyanshu Chatterjee also portray their roles impressively. Background Score and Storytelling The Bengal Files ambitiously tackles a complex historical narrative with a modern-day investigation. By covering both past and present events it offers an engaging and layered storytelling experience. While the background score and VFX could have been better the post-riot visuals are very realistic and impactful. Despite few technical flaws the film stays true to its historical events. Key Takeaways In the Bengal Files Vivek Agnihotri explores the lesser-known chapter of Indian history highlighting the incidents that led to the creation of Pakistan. While The Partition and its devastating impact has been widely portrayed the film captures the deep trauma that continues to resonate even today. Backed by deep research and bold narration the film is indeed well-documented. Information-heavy dialogues such as Bangal zameen ka tukda nahi India ka lighthouse hai effectively convey Bengals significance though at times they somewhat feels poetic in tone. A tight runtime and less display of violence could have overall enhanced the impact of this political drama. Final Verdict The Bengal Files is an emotionally powerful film filled with intense tragic and dramatic moments. However viewers might find it odd or confusing that the film which is about the history of Bengal was initially called The Delhi Files a title that seems unrelated to the story it actually tells. Total Stars- 3/5