The Bengal Files Box Office Day 1 Report: Vivek Agnihotri’s Film Struggles Amid Controversy"

Vivek Agnihotri’s highly anticipated film The Bengal Files released nationwide on September 5, 2025. Despite the buzz and heavy publicity, the film recorded a weak opening day at the box office — hampered by controversy, limited regional release, and stiff competition.

Day 1 Snapshot

• India Net Collection (Day 1): ~₹1.75 Crore
• Budget: ~₹35 Crore (Production + Marketing)
• Screens (India): ~1,000
• Occupancy: ~20% average (night shows performed best)
• Notable: No release in West Bengal due to controversy

Why the opening was weak

Although the film opened on a respectable number of screens, the absence of screenings in West Bengal — a market that was expected to show strong interest — significantly dented the film’s potential earnings. In addition, major releases dominated multiplex circuits and audience attention on opening day.

Competition at the box office

The Bengal Files had to compete with two heavy hitters: the Hollywood horror The Conjuring: Last Rites, which led the day, and Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi 4, which also recorded a much stronger start. These releases claimed prime screens and weekday audiences, squeezing the space for Agnihotri’s film.

How this compares to Agnihotri’s earlier work

Vivek Agnihotri’s previous release, The Kashmir Files, enjoyed massive word-of-mouth and box office success. At present, The Bengal Files has not matched that opening momentum. The early Day 1 performance suggests a tougher road ahead.

Box office outlook — can it recover?

With a production and marketing budget near ₹35 Crore, the film needs a significant uptick over the weekend to reach breakeven territory. Key factors that will determine recovery are:

• Weekend growth: A strong Saturday–Sunday surge is essential.
• Word of mouth: Positive audience and critic response can trigger mid-week gains.
• Regional clearances: Any change in release status for West Bengal would materially affect collections.

Early verdict

The Bengal Files has started on a slow note with an estimated Day 1 India net of ~₹1.75 Crore. Controversy and a limited release footprint have clearly impacted performance. Unless the film picks up strong word-of-mouth and sees weekend growth, recovering to a profitable run will be challenging.

More updates: For daily box office tracking and in-depth analysis, visit Filmpanti.in.

Note: Early figures are estimates and may be updated as official box office reports are released.