Kolkata: Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has landed in fresh controversy over his upcoming film The Bengal Files, after the grandson of Gopal Mukherjee — popularly known as ‘Gopal Patha’ — complained to the Bowbazar Police Station, alleging defamation.

Shantanu Mukherjee, the grandson, has accused the director of portraying his grandfather, a key figure during the turbulent period of Direct Action Day in 1946, in a “derogatory and misleading” manner. “My grandfather was a brave heart who took up arms to defend the Bengalis. The director has used insulting terms against him without even seeking our permission or consulting the family,” Shantanu said.

He further alleged that Agnihotri, in public interviews, referred to Gopal Mukherjee as a “butcher” and linked him with violent incidents during the riots, thereby “tarnishing his legacy as a freedom fighter.” In his complaint, Shantanu wrote that no university has ever conducted research on his grandfather, and “except for the information available through our family, all else is hearsay.” He urged police to register an FIR against Agnihotri and halt the film’s release.

However, dismissing the allegations, Agnihotri said he had depicted Mukherjee as “the hero that he was.” Speaking at a press conference in Delhi on Monday, the filmmaker asserted that he had done full justice to Mukherjee’s legacy, portraying him as a central figure in the Hindu resistance during the 1946 Calcutta Killings. He added that while he would respond to Shantanu Mukherjee’s claims through legal channels, the film honours rather than maligns Gopal Patha.

Agnihotri also alleged that Kolkata Police obstructed the trailer launch of The Bengal Files at the last moment on Saturday. The event, scheduled at a five-star hotel, was reportedly denied screening permission by the authorities. “Does Bengal follow a special constitution?” the director asked, while BJP leaders condemned the move.

‘The Bengal Files’, which explores the 1946 Calcutta Riots, features Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, and Pallavi Joshi. The film is set for release on September 5.