The Bengal Files REVIEW: Vivek Agnihotri Haunting Drama Tackles All The Right Issues – Politics, Corruptions And The Inhumane Reality Of 1946 Calcutta

Film:
The Bengal Files

Director: Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri

Writers: Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri

Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Simrat Kaur, Anupam Kher, Saswata Chatterjee. Namashi Chakraborty, Puneet Issar, Rajesh Khera, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Eklavya Sood, Sourav Das, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Anubha Arora

Runtime: 204 minutes (3 hours, 24 minutes)

Platform: In Theatres

Review

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s third and final instalment in The Files Trilogy, The Bengal Files is a hard-hitting re-telling of Direct Action Day (1946 Great Calcutta Killings) — that took place on August 16, 1946 — and the Noakhali riots —a series of semi-organised massacres, r*pes and abductions of Hindus in the districts of Noakhali in the Chittagong Division of the eastern part of British Bengal (present-day Bangladesh) in October–November 1946. Just like the earlier films — The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files — TBF too is a that will give you chills and shake the conscience of all who watch the political drama.

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Set across two time periods, August to November 1946 and present-day, the film highlights the prosecution Hindus in British Bengal and current-day faced at the hands of fascist Muslim in the region. It begins with CBI officer Shiva Pandit (Darshan Kumar) being sent to Bengal to investigate the disappearance of a Dalit girl named Sita. During the investigation, we meet some of the film’s other characters, namely Sardar Husseini (Saswata Chatterjee) — a minority MLA who’s word is the law and Maa Bharati (Pallavi Joshi) — a weak, old Bengali woman who is the prime suspect in the kidnapping.

At the same time, we are also taken to 1946 Calcutta and told of the traumatic events from Bharati Banerjee’s (Simrat Kaur). The daughter of a reputed lawyer (Justice Banerjee played by Priyanshu Chatterjee), we get an in-depth insight into her losses, torment and torture. Here, we are also introduced to her companion Amarjeet Arora (Eklavya Sood) and the evil Ghulam Sarwar Husseini (Namashi Chakraborty) who reigns with terror in the region.

Scroll below to read our in-depth review of The Bengal Files.

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What Works

The raw storytelling is the star of the film beautifully supported with strong, impactful performances by the entire cast. The film’s music, especially the BGM, beautifully adds layers of emotions to the narrative.

Technical Analysis

Direction

Director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has done a commendable job when it comes to narrating the violence of Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots. The manner in which he depicts the violence of the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings will give you chills. PS: There is a one-shot scene in the first half of the film that will 100% leave you spellbound. The lighting and the camera word is just chef’s kiss.

Story & Screenplay

Written also by Vivek, The Bengal Files is elaborate and gives insights into both the past and the present without compromise. The pace is well maintained. There isn’t one moment where you will be distracted from the screen. The dialogues — be it Hindi, Bengali, Russian or English — add a kind of flavour to the story and doesn’t seem forced or out of place.

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Cinemaography

DoP Attar Singh Saini has done a fantabulous job in capturing the worlds created by production designer Late Rajat Poddarr. Designer Veera Kapur Ee also deserves a round of applause for keeping the costumes time-appropriate.

Editing

3 hours, 24 minutes is a long run time, but Shankh Rajadhyaksha’s editing is on-point – he doesn’t disappoint. He knows what needs to be kept and how the frames need to change from one scene to the next to add more character and rawness.

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Music

The background score composed by Rohit Sharma gives the film an undercurrent that stirs emotions every time its played. The use of Bengali music to tell he plight of the Hindu — both in 1946 and present-day Bengal, is a lovely tribute to the Bengali culture. The devotional folk-based song Kichudin Mone Mone and Begali song Dhono Dhannye Pushpe Bhora shine brightly in the film.

Star Cast

Pallavi Joshi as Maa Bharti and Simrat Kaur as young Bharati are the stars of the show. Both actresses nailed the Bengali accent and delivered performances that deserves a standing ovation. Be it the lonliness in Joshi’s eyes or the fire in Kaur’s, both actresses convey the emotions their characters are felling beautiffully.

Darshan Kumar as CBI officer Shiva Pandit delivers a touching performance while fresh face Eklavya Sood captivates with his sincerity. Namashi Chakraborty performance as the instigator of violence in Noakhali, Ghulam, will leave you terrified.

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Anupam Kher’s performance as the restrained Gandhi and Rajesh Khera’s fierce portrayal of Jinnah also sand out. Though a very minute role, Mithun Chakraborty’s act as a broken, deranged policeman is touching. Saswata Chatterjee as MLA Sardar Husseini is also commendable.

Conclusion

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files is not for the faint of heart, it is the portrayal of a historical wounds rarely acknowledge. It a haunting and cinematic representation of what happened to the Hindus in Bengal on and after Direct Action Day to re-educate the citizens of the county of their history and make sure the new generation know of thing that aren’t part of all our text books.

Watch The Trailer Of The Bengal Files Here:

Hope out The Bengal Files review helps you in deciding whether or not you should watch the film on he big screen this weekend.

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