Man Petitions Calcutta High Court to Halt Release of The Bengal Files Film Over Defamatory Portrayal

A petition was filed by Santanu Mukherjee in the Calcutta High Court seeking to stop the release of The Bengal Files, alleging his grandfather is depicted unfavourably. The court has yet to issue a stay as it considers arguments from the Central Board of Film Certification.

A petition was filed in the Calcutta High Court by Santanu Mukherjee, the grandson of Gopal Chandra Mukherjee. He sought to halt the release of Vivek Agnihotri's film, "The Bengal Files," claiming it portrays his grandfather negatively. Despite this, the court did not stop the film's release, which is scheduled for Friday. The film depicts the communal riots of August 1946 in Kolkata, known as the 'Great Calcutta Killings'.

Justice Amrita Sinha stated that she would consider arguments from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the Union of India before making any decision. The hearing has been postponed until these parties are heard. The petitioner’s lawyer argued that Gopal Chandra Mukherjee is shown in a defamatory manner in the movie. A photograph was presented to support this claim, indicating that Mukherjee's character was referred to as "Patha," a Bengali term for goat.

Film's Portrayal and Legal Proceedings

The petitioner claimed that his grandfather, who ran a goat meat shop in Bowbazar during the 1940s, was an eminent freedom fighter. He alleged that Agnihotri inaccurately depicted him as being involved in the events of August 16, 1946. Justice Sinha asked if the film was indeed based on Mukherjee's grandfather, to which the lawyer confirmed it was.

Justice Sinha noted that an order could only be issued after hearing all parties involved, including CBFC and the Government of India. She also questioned why the petitioner approached the court just before the film's release. The West Bengal government's lawyer informed the court about proceedings initiated based on an FIR related to this matter.

Director's Appeal and Court's Consideration

Two days prior, director Vivek Agnihotri requested West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ensure a smooth release of his film. He alleged that Trinamool Congress workers were threatening theatre owners against screening it. Justice Sinha emphasized that without hearing CBFC and government representatives, no order could be passed.

The petitioner's lawyer confirmed that notices had been sent to all parties via post and email. Justice Sinha instructed him to ensure their presence at the hearing. The court acknowledged that the film might be fictional and reiterated its stance on needing comprehensive hearings before making any decisions.

The case highlights ongoing tensions around historical portrayals in films and their impact on public perception. As legal proceedings continue, all parties await further developments regarding "The Bengal Files" and its portrayal of historical events and figures.

With inputs from PTI