The Bengal Files is just weeks away from its cinematic premiere on September 5, 2025, and, as is customary with every film by Vivek Agnihotri, this one is generating controversy as well. Following The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files, the director has set the third installment of his Files trilogy in West Bengal, a title that was originally The Delhi Files.
According to the producers, the name change to The Bengal Files was made because the film’s narrative focuses on the Great Calcutta Killings of 1946 and the Noakhali riots.
The release timing of the film is also perceived as particularly suspect, given that the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections are anticipated to occur in March-April 2026.
Currently, the controversy surrounding The Bengal Files involves Gopal ‘Patha’ Mukherjee, who played a significant role in safeguarding Hindus during the riots of 1946.
Who Is Gopal Patha?
Gopal Patha, whose actual name was Gopal Mukherjee, was a prominent figure during the Great Calcutta Killings in 1946.
In an interview with The Print, Gopal Patha’s grandson, Santanu Mukherjee, discussed his grandfather’s involvement in the communal violence and murders that surged through the city following the Muslim League’s call for Direct Action Day on August 16, 1946.
“My grandfather armed himself during the Great Calcutta Killings to protect Hindus from violent Muslim rioters who were killing men, raping women, and destroying Hindu properties. However, he held no animosity towards Muslims,” Santanu Mukherjee stated, emphasizing that his grandfather also rescued innocent Muslims during the riots.
Santanu Mukherjee’s assertions resonate with Gopal Patha’s statements made in a 1997 interview with journalist Andrew Whitehead.
When the journalist inquired of Gopal Patha, “If your men discovered a Muslim woman alone, would they behave inappropriately?”
He replied, “I had given firm instructions not to behave improperly with women, as a person’s integrity holds great significance. We could not accomplish anything by mistreating women; that person would be an outlaw.”
Additionally, in his blog, Andrew Whitehead elaborated on Gopal Patha, mentioning that his moniker ‘Patha’, which translates to goat in Bengali, originated from the family meat shop located on College Street in Kolkata. Gopal Patha is also depicted as violently attacking people. In the film, Bengali actor Saurav Das—who served as the chief campaigner for the ruling Trinamool Congress party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections—portrays the character of Gopal Patha.
