Vivek Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files has premiered in cinemas, with its first-day box office performance now revealed. The film had been the subject of discussion even before its release. The makers also faced issues during the trailer launch, but the film has now been released in theaters and its first-day earnings are out.
Despite the controversies related to its release, the film earned ₹1.75 crore (total India earnings) on its opening day. The film’s debut was impacted by its failure to be released in West Bengal cinemas, similar to the situations faced by The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files.
The initial figures for The Bengal Files are substantially lower than those of the director’s previous successful films. The Kashmir Files, released in 2022, earned ₹3.55 crore on its opening day and emerged as one of the most discussed hits in recent times. With a starting collection of ₹1.75 crore, The Bengal Files has only managed to earn about 30% of that amount.
The film is currently stirring up debates among viewers. On social media, particularly on X, many users have referred to the film as a harsh cinematic depiction that showcases the horrors of Direct Action Day. Conversely, others have labeled it as propaganda, intensifying discussions about Agnihotri’s filmmaking style. The film’s trajectory in the coming days will largely be influenced by audience feedback and word-of-mouth promotion.