Dhruv Rathee SLAMS Vivek Agnihotri; criticises filmmaker for allowing kids to watch ‘The Bengal Files’, calls it a ‘crime’

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri's ‘The Bengal Files’, which was released in cinemas on September 5, was already facing criticism and controversies, and now the latest is a clash with YouTuber Dhruv Rathee.

Rathee has slammed Agnihotri for showing his recently released adult-rated film to children, calling it “a crime” and warning that exposing young viewers to so much blood, gore, and violence could traumatisse their childhood.

Agnihotri shared a picture of the audience watching the film

The row started when Agnihotri shared a photo on his X handle showing several adults watching the film with their kids. Captioning it, “One picture says it all,” he appeared to celebrate the turnout. However, Rathee quickly reacted, questioning the decision and expressing concern for the children’s well-being.

Rathee believes showing children is “a crime”

Replying to Agnihotri’s post on X, Dhruv Rathee wrote, “Are you seriously making children watch an Adult rated film? This should be a crime. You are traumatising their childhood by showing them so much blood, gore and violence (sic).”

What is ‘The Bengal Files’ about?

‘The Bengal Files’ is the third film in Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘files’ trilogy. It claims to deal with a difficult chapter in Indian history, focusing on the mayhem that followed Direct Action Day in 1946. The film blends historical events with a contemporary story about the disappearance of a journalist in Bengal

What is the cast of ‘The Bengal Files’

The film features an ensemble cast that includes Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Simrat Kaur, Saswata Chatterjee, Namashi Chakraborty, Rajesh Khera, Puneet Issar, and others

Box office collection of ‘The Bengal Files’

According to Sacnilk, ‘The Bengal Files’ earned Rs 11.8 crore in India as of day eight.

‘The Bengal Files’ review

The Times of India gave ‘The Bengal Files’ 3.5 stars. The review states, “‘The Bengal Files’ is a tough watch, the kind of film that makes you squirm in your seat and sit uneasily through its relentless portrayal of violence. The third in Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘files’ trilogy, the film trains its gaze on the mayhem that followed Direct Action Day—the call given by Mohammad Ali Jinnah in 1946 demanding a separate state for Muslims.”

It further adds, “The subject itself is contentious, and Agnihotri refuses to soften it. What emerges is a historical drama that, while heavy-handed, does bring to light a chapter of Indian history rarely touched upon in popular culture. It frames the story through a contemporary plot involving the disappearance of a journalist in Bengal, using that thread to revisit the horrors of the past. Despite its nearly three-and-a-half-hour length, the film compels you to keep watching, unsettled but engrossed.”

See more: 'The Bengal Files' Box Office collection day 8: Vivek Agnihotri's film starring Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, records the LOWEST on Friday, misses Rs 12 crore mark by a whisker