Actor-producer Pallavi Joshi has written an open letter to President Droupadi Murmu, alleging an "unofficial ban" on the film The Bengal Files in West Bengal and seeking protection for its release. Joshi claims the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government is intimidating theatre owners and exhibitors to prevent them from screening the movie.

In her letter, Joshi, who also stars in the film, stated that her family receives daily threats and that exhibitors are refusing to show the film "fearing violence by ruling party workers". She emphasised she was not asking for "favours, but for protection" of their constitutional right to free expression. This follows the earlier cancellation of the film’s trailer launch by police in Kolkata. Director Vivek Agnihotri has also made a separate public appeal to the Chief Minister not to ban the film.

Set for a September 5 release, The Bengal Files is the final part of Agnihotri's 'Files' trilogy. It explores historical events including the Direct Action Day of 1946, the Noakhali riots, and the partition of Bengal.