The Bengal Files, a highly-anticipated film by Vivek Agnihotri, is slated for release this Friday. However, just two days prior to its debut, the movie has secured less than 500 screens across India. So far, The Bengal Files has generated approximately ₹9.66 lakh in advance ticket sales, having sold around 3,190 tickets across 485 shows. The film is targeting a total opening of approximately ₹27.03 lakh with blocked seats. In terms of state-wise collections, Maharashtra has led with ₹2.84 lakh (₹8.41 lakh including blocked seats) from 122 shows. Telangana also performed well, earning ₹2.06 lakh (₹3.87 lakh including blocked seats) from 35 shows. Delhi reported ₹1.34 lakh (₹4.35 lakh with blocked seats) from 53 shows.
Other states like Karnataka, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh showed moderate figures of ₹79,970, ₹35,770, and ₹39,260, respectively. Smaller markets such as Goa, Uttarakhand, and Assam contributed only a few thousand rupees to the total. While overall ticket sales for The Bengal Files have been low, certain shows in Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Gujarat were near capacity. The film has been heavily marketed, leading to high expectations and comparisons with Agnihotri’s previous success, The Kashmir Files. Released in 2022, The Kashmir Files opened with ₹1.13 crore in advance bookings and ultimately grossed over ₹250 crore at the domestic box office during a slow period for Bollywood.
The Bengal Files marks Agnihotri’s third film in the Files series, following The Tashkent Lines in 2019 and the National Award-winning The Kashmir Files in 2022. This latest project also explores a controversial chapter in India’s history, aiming to provoke discussion like its predecessors.
