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New Delhi: The trailer of the upcoming film 'The Bengal Files', directed by Vivek Agnihotri, has triggered a huge controversy and debate due to its content and portrayal of a horrifying incident. Now, Shantanu Mukherjee, the grandson of Gopal Mukherjee, the Bengali leader whose character plays a pivotal role in the film, has filed a police complaint against the director for allegedly distorting his grandfather's identity.
Popularly known as Gopal Patha, he was a Bengali leader in Kolkata. He played a key part in stopping the atrocities on the Hindus during the heinous 1946 killings in the city. The riots happened due to the 'Direct Action Day' of the Muslim League, and it led to widespread violence and numerous casualties. The actions of Gopal Patha in the riots have been widely debated over the years.
The trailer of 'The Bengal Files' introduces Gopal Patha as "Ek Tha Kashai Gopal Patha". As per Shantanu, it distorts his grandfather's character, who he says was not a professional butcher but rather a wrestler and a key figure in the Anushilan Samiti. He was one of the key figures who fought against the riots incited by the Muslim League in 1946.
Shantanu has sent Agnihotri a legal notice, and an FIR has been filed. In the complaint, he has demanded an apology for allegedly distorting his grandfather's character, and he claims that the portrayal is not only inaccurate but also hurtful to the family and the community.
He said, "My grandfather was called Kashai (which means the butcher), also called Patha (which means goat), which is disrespectful. I think Vivek Agnihotri should research more on this. From where did they get this wrong information? He has not contacted us either. That's why we are protesting this and will continue to do so. In protest, we have sent a legal notice to Vivek Agnihotri and also filed an FIR."
Shantanu added, "He was a part of the freedom movement. His ideology matched that of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. He worked with several notable freedom fighters. How can anyone say he is Kashai or Patha?" The trailer of the film has triggered a huge controversy in Bengal.
