Didn't know whole story: Saswata Chatterjee on 'Bengal Files' row
18 Aug 2025

Veteran Bengali actor Saswata Chatterjee, who plays the antagonist in The Bengal Files, has distanced himself from the controversy surrounding the film.

In a recent interview with The Wall, he said that he is not a historian and cannot check if a story is politically correct or not.

"I am just an actor. I liked a character and I played it," he added.

He also clarified that he wasn't made aware of the entire story, but just his track.

On why he took up 'The Bengal Files' role
Role selection

Chatterjee explained his decision to take up the role in The Bengal Files.

"I don't know. Let me tell you this. Nowadays, it's a trend, the whole story won't be told to anyone. You only get to know your track, your character," he said.

"And when I was told about the role [in The Bengal Files], I found the character to be amazing."

Netizens have been bashing Bengali actors like Chatterjee for acting in a "propaganda" film.

Chatterjee was unaware of the title change
Title change

Chatterjee also revealed that he was unaware of the film's title change from The Delhi Files to The Bengal Files.

"While the shooting was going on, the name of the film was Delhi Files and after the shooting was completed, I came to know that it was changed to The Bengal Files. That is not in my hands," he said.

'If Bengal is belittled, go to court': Chatterjee
Film defense

Chatterjee defended The Bengal Files amid the controversy.

"If those whose job it is feel that Bengal is being belittled, then they can go to court with the information. There is no point in just making noise," he said.

The film has been facing several objections for allegedly distorting history and showing West Bengal in a bad light.

A major ruckus erupted during its trailer launch event in Kolkata over the weekend.

Trailer introduced Gopal Mukherjee as 'Ek Tha Kashai Gopal Patha'
Controversy details

One of the major objections to The Bengal Files is its alleged distortion of Gopal Mukherjee's character, a famous Bengali freedom fighter.

His grandson Shantanu Mukherjee filed a complaint against director Vivek Agnihotri for this.

The film's trailer introduced a character as "Ek Tha Kashai Gopal Patha (Once there was a butcher, Gopal goat)," which Shantanu found disrespectful.

He demanded an apology from Agnihotri and sent him a legal notice.