Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has officially confirmed that his highly controversial film The Bengal Files will finally release in West Bengal on May 15, 2026. The announcement comes after a series of delays and difficulties in securing a theatrical screening for the film in the state. These challenges have persisted since the movie’s nationwide release in 2025.

Agnihotri, known for his politically charged films such as The Kashmir Files, had previously claimed that the movie faced resistance from theater owners in Bengal, who were allegedly pressured not to screen it. Furthermore, multiple FIRs and political opposition from the Mamata Banerjee-led government created significant hurdles for the film’s release.

However, following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s resounding victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Agnihotri took to social media to announce that The Bengal Files would finally be shown in the state, thanking the supporters who had called for the movie to be made available for public viewing.

The film, which delves into the historical events surrounding Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots, remains one of Agnihotri’s most contentious projects. While the film has faced considerable criticism, its supporters argue that it offers a vital historical perspective that deserves to be widely seen by the public. ith the release now confirmed for May 15, The Bengal Files is poised to make waves in West Bengal’s film scene, adding yet another chapter to the ongoing political and cinematic debate sparked by Agnihotri’s work.