Kolkata, 16 August (Kiran News). A major controversy erupted in Kolkata on Saturday during the trailer launch event of filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri and his wife, actress-producer Pallavi Joshi’s film, The Bengal Files. Kolkata Police took actions in front of the media that no one could have anticipated.
The Kolkata Police interrupted the event midway at the five-star ITC Royal Bengal hotel, cutting off power in the conference hall and even seizing the laptop being used to show the film’s trailer. Vivek Agnihotri was surrounded by police in such a way that he was unable to speak to the media. Senior police officials even took to the stage during the trailer launch. Accusing the state government and police of a dictatorial attitude, Vivek Agnihotri said, “Powerful forces in Bengal are trying to suppress the truth.”
According to Vivek, he arrived in Kolkata from Mumbai late Friday night. The trailer launch of his new film was scheduled for Saturday morning at a luxury hotel. Earlier, the event was supposed to be held at a multiplex but was shifted due to “political pressure”. Everything was normal until the event began, but as soon as it started, a large number of police personnel entered the hall and cut the power during the trailer screening.
From the stage, Vivek Agnihotri said the conference room power was cut without any reason and that heavy police presence was there since the morning. “We are not thieves or criminals, we are filmmakers. Never imagined facing such a situation on the land of Satyajit Ray. If this is not dictatorship, then what is it? If this is not fascism, then what is it?” he said. He added, “If the police want to arrest me, let them, but I will continue to fight. This is Bengal.”
During the dispute, journalists tried to talk to Vivek and Pallavi Joshi, but it is alleged the police did not allow them to speak with the media. Eventually, both were escorted out of the hotel under tight security. Vivek stated, “Even if I am arrested, it does not matter to me. But it is clear that dictatorial forces in Bengal fear the truth. Everything happens on signals here. The truth is not allowed to be shown. We were harassed without any reason. This is not democracy, this is outright dictatorship.”
As of Saturday afternoon, no official statement had been issued by Kolkata Police or the state administration. Police officers refrained from commenting on the matter.
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