Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘The Bengal Files’ shows marginal jump of Rs 24 lakh one day before the release

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s upcoming socio-political drama The Bengal Files is set to hit theatres on September 5, but the film’s advance booking numbers remain underwhelming despite a slight jump in collections since yesterday.As of 10 AM today, the film has managed to gross Rs 14.49 lakh from advance bookings, selling 4,935 tickets across 939 shows. This marks an improvement from yesterday morning’s figures of Rs 4.81 lakh gross and 1,531 tickets sold, but the pace of growth continues to be modest given the filmmaker’s past box office highs. Interestingly the film has got a block booking of over Rs 30 lakh, thus taking the total advance booking of the film to Rs 44.51 lakh almost doubling yesterday numbers which were Rs 19.89 lakh.Agnihotri, known for crafting politically charged dramas, has seen contrasting trajectories with his earlier releases. The Tashkent Files began quietly before building momentum through word of mouth, while The Kashmir Files shattered all trade expectations in 2022, starting on a modest note but ultimately becoming one of the biggest blockbusters of the year. Trade circles were hopeful that The Bengal Files might replicate some of that energy, but the muted booking trends so far suggest a challenging road ahead.The weekend trajectory will be crucial.The film is clashing with Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi 4 which also stars names like Sanjay Dutt, Sonam Bajwa and Harnaaz Sandhu. The film has taken an advance booking of over Rs 5 crore is looking at first day collection of atleast Rs 10 crore. The Bengal Files explores the Noakhali riots of 1946, a harrowing chapter in Indian history that unfolded just a year before Independence. Starring veteran actors Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, and others, the film is positioned as a hard-hitting socio-political narrative that sheds light on forgotten tragedies.