I watched The Bengal Files movie and let me begin by stating in no uncertain terms that this is a really bold movie. Vivek Agnihotri has ventured into territories which have not been explored to date by filmmakers. The level of physical threats to him have increased because he dared to make this movie. I must admit, he is a brave man indeed.

My thoughts about The Bengal Files movie:

A. It’s not all that violent. In fact many action packed thrillers are far more violent, besides being vulgar. However, this movie is neither making it a good watch.

B. The movie is not just about past, but also about the present. Project Pakistan continues till this date and the antidote to it is not pretty. Agnihotri argues through this movie that Bengal will see a re-enactment of its past, depicted thru Calcutta and Noakhali genocides unless people stop current trends. I agree with Agnihotri and believe that the same fire will spread beyond Bengal as well.

C. The movie has some powerful metaphors. Yamuna post merging into Gangaji is known as Gangaji and the same is true for so many other rivers. But, in the words of Agnihotri, some rotten nullahs pollute Gangaji, refuse to become pure and want to change Ganga’s identity through pollution. That’s how Agnihotri looks at the much-hyped and one-sided Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb!!

D. Another metaphor is that of Bharat Mata going through an identiy crisis. Bharati Mukherjee plays a tired, confused, enfeebled, somewhat crazy, distant woman. The name “Ayesha Begum” had been forcibly engraved on her hand… during Noakhali. That’s how Agnihotri sees Bharat’s “syncretic” culture which is shoved down throatts of Hindus forcibly.

E. The problem in Kashmir and the one in Bengal are fundamentally the same. That similarity resides in ideology, and the methods which separatists in Kashmir as well as Bengal have used to advance Islamism. And the Hindus dismiss this as “regional” problems, which they are not.

F. In general acting by all the actors is good.

G. However, I have a small grudge. Agnihotri loves his wife, Pallavi. Perhaps that’s why he gave her an excessively long role in the movie. I would have shaved of at least 30 mins from this movie to make it sharper ad thereby more impactful.

H. Serious questions are raised about ideas of secularism, freedom, right to live. Agnihotri believes these are simply talking points for netas. However, in Bharat’s numerous internal war zones, strength dominates, and the Hindu side is seriously at a disadvantage because it has been emaciated. Bharati asks for a gun in one scene and she explains apologetically that it is for self-protection.

I. Overall, a good and bold movie but a bit lengthy. The quality of narration is not bad.

I would certainly recommend everyone to go see it with your family!

– Indira Shukla

(Featured Image Source: ToI)