Vivek Agnihotri reacts to Bengal upset, recalls Mamata Banerjee's alleged 'assault'

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri on Tuesday shared a note on X congratulating the "great people of Bengal" after the election results ended Mamata Banerjee's 15-year rule as the state's Chief Minister. Referring to his recent film The Bengal Files, Agnihotri said Banerjee had banned the film in West Bengal and did not allow him to launch its trailer in the state.

In his post, titled "NEVER AGAIN", Agnihotri suggested that the film became part of his attempt to "fight" against Banerjee's tenure during the elections. He also alleged that, despite the ban, he ensured that The Bengal Files was shown "underground" to as many people as possible across West Bengal.

Tagging Banerjee in the post, Agnihotri alleged that he and his team were "attacked and assaulted" during the release of The Bengal Files in September 2025. He wrote, "For those who don’t know, @MamataOfficial cancelled me in Bengal after the release of #TheKashmirFiles. The film was taken out of cinema halls, and she said I would NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER Bengal (sic)."

He added, "Last year, she BANNED #TheBengalFiles completely in West Bengal. Our trailer launch was blocked. We were attacked and assaulted. Dozens of FIRs were filed against me. I was cancelled in Bengal. I couldn’t even go to receive my award from the Governor (sic)." Agnihotri then linked those events to the election outcome and described the result as an "unprecedented victory".

In the same note, he said, "But we never gave up. During these elections, we ensured that #TheBengalFiles was shown to as many people as possible (underground) across Bengal. I am glad we didn’t give and fought in our own little way. And finally this unprecedented victory. Congratulations to the great people of Bengal. Now you can walk without fear, with your head held high (sic)."

The election result saw the BJP defeat the Banerjee-led TMC in Bengal, winning 206 of 293 seats and crossing the halfway mark of 147. The TMC won 80 seats. Agnihotri's note on the result focused on his allegations about the treatment of The Bengal Files in West Bengal and his message congratulating the people of the state.