FIR Filed Against Vivek Agnihotri Over The Bengal Files
The political thriller has already earned support from the BJP before its pan-India launch on September 5: Reports
KOLKATA: Bollywood film director Vivek Agnihotri, days after the trailer launch of his upcoming movie– The Bengal Files– was stopped by the Kolkata Police at an event in the city, has landed in more trouble as the descendant of the main character of his movie has lodged an FIR with the police against him and also sent him a legal notice, demanding his unconditional apology for distorting his late forefather’s patriotic image in the film.
On the other hand, Tollywood actor Saswata Chatterjee, who played a role in the controversial Hindi film, has claimed that the movie’s title was changed from ‘The Delhi Files’ to ‘The Bengal Files’ after its shooting was completed. The political thriller has already earned support from the BJP before its pan-India launch on September 5.
It highlights the daredevil role of a freedom fighter Gopal Mukherjee, who was a member of Anushilan Samity and a wrestler from central Kolkata, for his heavy combat of the massacre of Hindus, which later came to be known as the ‘Great Calcutta Killings’, in the violent riots during the Muslim League’s ‘Direct Action Day’ on August 16 in 1946 under the British-rule.
Since Mukherjee ran a goat meat shop then, he instantly became famous as Gopal Pantha. In Bengali, Pantha means a male goat. Mukherjee’s grandson, Santanu, however accused Mr Agnihotri of describing his grandfather as ‘Ek Tha Kasai Gopal Pantha’ in a personal reel video on social media without doing any research. He lodged a complaint at the Bowbazar police station against the film-maker.
Santanu alleged, “My grandfather was called Kasai, which means butcher. He was also labelled as Pantha which means a male goat in Bengali. This is disrespectful. Mr Agnihotri should research more on this. He never contacted us either. Where did he get this wrong information from? We protest this and will continue it. We have filed an FIR against Mr Agnihotri and sent a legal notice to him."
He also claimed, "He was a part of the freedom movement. His ideology matched with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. He worked with several other noted freedom fighters." On Monday, actor Saswata said, “The film was titled ‘The Delhi Files’ when the shooting was underway. Later, I learnt that the title was changed to ‘The Bengal Files’ after the shooting ended. Why the name was changed is not in my hands. Until I watch the movie, I won't be able to say why it happened.”
