Darshan Kumaar has been receiving rave reviews for his work in the recently-released The Bengal Files. Directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, the movie looks back at the deadly Direct Action Day of 1946. Darshan got talking about the film and the fact that it couldn’t release in West Bengal in an interview with us.
Darshan Kumaar on The Bengal Files not released in West Bengal, “I urge people to watch the film with an open mind, experience it fully, and then form an opinion”
The Bengal Files was not released in Bengal. What is your take on this?
Cinema has always been an art form, a way to express emotions, ideas, and truths since ancient times. It was never just about entertainment; it was about storytelling and reflection. As we often say, don’t judge a book by its cover — the same applies to films. A title is just the beginning; the real essence unfolds on screen. I’d urge people to watch the film with an open mind, experience it fully, and then form an opinion based on what it actually is, not what it’s assumed to be. As artists, all we ask is the freedom to share our work and let the audience decide.
There were also objections and protests from Gopal Mukherjee’s family about the way he has been portrayed
I believe Vivek Agnihotriji is the best person to address this in detail, but from what I know, Gopal Mukherjee has been portrayed as a braveheart — someone who stood up for what he believed was right in a very turbulent time. Vivek ji has shown him with respect and depth. I genuinely feel that once his family watches the film, they’ll see the honesty with which his character has been treated.
You were equally brilliant in Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files
In The Kashmir Files, I played Krishna Pandit, a student whose journey to Kashmir reveals a hidden truth through his eyes, transforming him into a voice for the unheard. In The Bengal Files, I play Shiva Pandit an honest CBI officer who arrives in Bengal to investigate a sensitive case. Like Krishna, the story unfolds through Shiva’s perspective, but here, he doesn’t just discover the truth; he fights to bring it to light, facing systemic and psychological battles. Both characters are pivotal. Krishna’s story is about awakening, while Shiva’s is about action and justice.
Absolutely. The Bengal Files is packed with raw emotion and reveals a truth that most people have never seen or heard. As we say — “If Kashmir hurt you, Bengal will haunt you.” This film doesn’t just inform — it shakes you. I believe its impact will be deep and lasting, because the story is powerful, emotional, and still untold.
What was it like working with Vivek Agnihotri for a second time? Would you say his political cinema is the need of the hour?
Working with Vivek ji for the second time was truly inspiring. He’s extremely passionate about making content-oriented, realistic cinema that carries a strong message. What I really admire is the amount of deep research he does — he’s always very clear in his vision. As an actor, it’s fun and fulfilling to work with a director who challenges you and pushes you to give your best. And yes, I do believe his kind of political cinema is the need of the hour. It starts conversations, reveals uncomfortable truths, and makes people think — which is exactly what good cinema should do.
What do you think of the audiences’ reaction to the ‘Hindu genocide’ theme of The Bengal Files?
The Bengal Files uncovers a truth that’s been hidden for too long. It’s not about provocation — it’s about awareness. People came out of the film with a heavy heart, and maybe for the first time, a deeper understanding of what really happened.
More Pages: The Bengal Files Box Office Collection
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