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The Calcutta High Court has dismissed a writ petition filed by Shantanu Mukherjee, grandson of Gopal Mukherjee (“Gopal Patha”), seeking to halt the release of Vivek Agnihotri’s controversial film ‘The Bengal Files‘. Justice Amrita Sinha found the plea, which was based on the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) not answering Mukherjee’s RTI about the depiction of historical figures, to be legally untenable and not maintainable in this context.

Mukherjee had argued that the film maliciously misrepresented his grandfather by using derogatory terms and distorting his role during the communal riots that followed Direct Action Day in 1946. He alleged the film dishonored Gopal Patha’s legacy, sought modification of objectionable scenes, and called for a stay on the movie’s release in West Bengal, including an independent probe into CBFC’s conduct as director Agnihotri is a board member. The court rejected these grounds, emphasizing there was no actionable cause based solely on the RTI non-response and dismissed the writ petition.

‘The Bengal Files‘ was released nationwide on September 5, 2025, after receiving an A (adults only) certificate from the CBFC. The film, which dramatizes the Direct Action Day and Noakhali riots, drew criticism for historical distortion and faced controversy over its screening in West Bengal. Despite the petition and protests, the movie was not officially banned, though some theaters reported no available slots for its screening due to scheduling constraints. The film recorded a modest box office opening and continues to spark debate on historical representation and artistic freedom.