The Bengal Files

Plot

The Bengal Files dramatizes the turbulent events of 1946, centering on the communal violence that erupted during Direct Action Day in Calcutta and the subsequent Noakhali riots in Bengal. The film follows the story of Anirban (fictional character), a young journalist who witnesses the chaos firsthand. Determined to uncover the truth, he begins documenting the brutality faced by ordinary families torn apart by political manipulation, religious hatred, and administrative apathy. The narrative shifts between the experiences of survivors and Anirban’s investigation, showing harrowing depictions of mass killings, displacement, and the destruction of communities. Alongside him, a schoolteacher (played by a senior actress) tries to protect orphaned children, while a Muslim freedom fighter is portrayed as grappling with guilt over the violence spiraling beyond control. As Anirban digs deeper, he uncovers what the film frames as a “suppression of truth” — the idea that the scale of these events was deliberately minimized in post-independence narratives. His findings are presented in stark, emotional confrontations with officials and historians, suggesting that an entire chapter of history was erased to protect political interests. The climax depicts Anirban publishing his accounts despite threats and censorship, aiming to give voice to the victims. The film ends with a montage contrasting archival photographs with dramatized scenes, reinforcing its central argument that the Bengal violence amounted to a forgotten genocide

Cast