‘Ameena’ & ‘The Bengal Files’ Are Not Anti-Muslim Films: Kumar Raj’s Film Hits 75 Weeks, Agnihotri Challenges Critics

Mumbai : In a strong rebuttal to accusations of promoting communal hatred, filmmaker Kumar Raj’s Ameena and Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files are being defended as films that promote awareness, not hate.
While Ameena continues to defy all odds by completing 75 successful weeks in theatres, cementing its place as a sleeper hit, Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files is battling controversy head-on, earning ₹7.85 crore in just four days despite mixed reviews and politically charged backlash.
Praise for Ameena: A Film of Humanity, Not Hate
Ameena has been widely praised for its emotionally powerful narrative, which tells the story of two girls—Ameena a Muslim girl from 30 years ago and Meena a Hindu child from the present day. Their parallel journeys reflect the struggles and courage of women across generations, highlighting universal themes of justice, resilience, and empowerment.
Despite some negative and misleading remarks on platforms like BookMyShow, supporters and critics alike have clarified that Ameena is not anti-Muslim. In fact, the film stands as a testament to unity and human dignity, showing the struggles of women irrespective of religion or community.
Director Kumar Raj has always been committed to human rights cinema, and Ameena is a shining example. Its sustained run in theatres over 75 weeks is a rare achievement in independent filmmaking and a clear indication that audiences resonate with its heartfelt message.
Agnihotri Responds to Allegations on The Bengal Files
Meanwhile, The Bengal Files has found itself at the center of controversy after a journalist alleged that the film had been “rejected by India” and was designed to “teach Indians to hate.” The video further claimed that social media influencers were paid to promote it.
Agnihotri, never one to back down, responded on X (formerly Twitter):
“Dear @khanumarfa, thanks for your propaganda show on #TheBengalFiles. I challenge you to debate me anywhere. If you prove even one scene or one fact wrong, I’ll accept defeat. Will you accept, or run away again like a hate-mongering coward during #TheKashmirFiles?”

Much like The Kashmir Files, Agnihotri’s new release tackles sensitive historical events—this time focusing on Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots. The film stars Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Saswata Chatterjee, and Simrat Kaur, and has already sparked national conversations around history, memory, and narrative.
Cinema That Challenges, Not Divides
Despite their different styles and subjects, both Ameena and The Bengal Files are being seen by many as cinema that challenges the status quo, rather than divides communities.
Both films urge viewers to reflect deeply—not to hate. As debates around these films continue, their impact on cultural and public discourse is undeniable.