Vivek Agnihotri has built a reputation for creating well-researched and truth-based bold and thought-provoking films that tackle real stories and sensitive issues that have been part of our history.&nbsp; Known for exploring crucial aspects of history and society, his work often uncovers hidden truths and sparks meaningful conversations. His next film, The Delhi Files, has generated significant anticipation, given his track record of delving into real-world events and controversial topics. Amidst rising anticipation, Mithun Chakraborty's first look from The Delhi Files is out that reveals him in a gripping and intense avatar.
<h2>The Delhi Files : The Bengal Chapter teaser</h2>
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The first look of Mithun Chakraborty from The Delhi Files is out, featuring him in a powerful video reciting the preamble of the Constitution of India with a burned tongue amidst a vacant corridor. Mithun appears rugged, with a white beard, reciting the preamble passionately. This glimpse has generated immense excitement, highlighting Mithun&rsquo;s intense portrayal. The film, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, is expected to spark crucial conversations about India&rsquo;s history, politics, and social dynamics, continuing Agnihotri&rsquo;s tradition of bold and thought-provoking storytelling.
The Delhi Files is a deeply emotional film that brings a significant chapter of Indian history to life on a grand scale. It explores the poignant Bengal tragedy, uncovering a lesser-known part of India&rsquo;s past. With its impactful storytelling, breathtaking visuals, and stellar performances, the film promises to deliver a thought-provoking and unforgettable cinematic journey.
The Delhi Files: The Bengal Chapter will be directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and jointly produced by Abhishek Agarwal and Pallavi Joshi. The film, presented by Tej Narayan Agarwal &amp; I Am Buddha Productions, will be released worldwide on 15th August 2025.
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Bollywood Entertainment: The Delhi Files is a deeply emotional film that brings a significant chapter of Indian history to life on a grand scale. It explores the poignant Bengal tragedy, uncovering a lesser-known part of India’s past.

Vivek Agnihotri has built a reputation for creating well-researched and truth-based bold and thought-provoking films that tackle real stories and sensitive issues that have been part of our history. Known for exploring crucial aspects of history and society, his work often uncovers hidden truths and sparks meaningful conversations. His next film, The Delhi Files, has generated significant anticipation, given his track record of delving into real-world events and controversial topics. Amidst rising anticipation, Mithun Chakraborty's first look from The Delhi Files is out that reveals him in a gripping and intense avatar. The Delhi Files : The Bengal Chapter teaser The first look of Mithun Chakraborty from The Delhi Files is out, featuring him in a powerful video reciting the preamble of the Constitution of India with a burned tongue amidst a vacant corridor. Mithun appears rugged, with a white beard, reciting the preamble passionately. This glimpse has generated immense excitement, highlighting Mithun’s intense portrayal. The film, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, is expected to spark crucial conversations about India’s history, politics, and social dynamics, continuing Agnihotri’s tradition of bold and thought-provoking storytelling. The Delhi Files is a deeply emotional film that brings a significant chapter of Indian history to life on a grand scale. It explores the poignant Bengal tragedy, uncovering a lesser-known part of India’s past. With its impactful storytelling, breathtaking visuals, and stellar performances, the film promises to deliver a thought-provoking and unforgettable cinematic journey. The Delhi Files: The Bengal Chapter will be directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and jointly produced by Abhishek Agarwal and Pallavi Joshi. The film, presented by Tej Narayan Agarwal & I Am Buddha Productions, will be released worldwide on 15th August 2025.

The Delhi Files : The Bengal Chapter: Mithun Chakraborty will stun you in the first power packed teaser | Watch

The inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir is going to be the grandest event the world has seen in recent years. Many A-listers from the showbiz, sports, and business fraternities have been invited to witness the historic moment scheduled for January 22.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ayodhya-ram-temple-live-updates-with-2-days-to-go-before-inauguration-security-bolstered-in-up-delhi-681710"> Check all live updates of&nbsp;Ram Mandir Inauguration here.</a> 
 
However, ahead of the grand event, The Kashmir Files director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has revealed that he will not be able to attend the auspicious ceremony.&nbsp; 
 
Expressing his sorrow for not being able to present on the big day, Vivek wrote on X that he's currently out of India.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-jackie-shroff-cleans-temple-stairs-in-mumbai-ahead-of-ram-temple-inauguration-681660">Jackie Shroff cleans temple stairs in Mumbai ahead of Ram Temple inauguration</a> 
 
Sharing the photo of the invitation for the 'Pran Pratishtha', consecration ceremony, the director wrote on X, “I was pleasantly surprised to receive many follow up calls from the office of CM @myogiadityanath Ji. The lady asked me travel details in an extremely warm but professional manner. Mighty impressed with the way technology is used to ensure a comfortable and safe visit for all. It’s unfortunate that I am not being able to attend #PranPratishtha as I am not in Bharat on 22nd Jan for some inevitable reason and only Ram ji knows how sad I am. #RamMandir.” 
 
The Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is set to take place between 12:15 pm&nbsp;and 12:45 pm.&nbsp;PM Modi, who is currently performing an 11-day-long 'anushthan' or special ritual, will also grace the inauguration ceremony of Ram Mandir.

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I was pleasantly surprised to receive many follow up calls from the office of CM <a href="https://twitter.com/myogiadityanath?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@myogiadityanath</a> Ji. The lady asked me travel details in an extremely warm but professional manner. Mighty impressed with the way technology is used to ensure a comfortable and safe visit for all.… <a href="https://t.co/WJtrJ05rhM">pic.twitter.com/WJtrJ05rhM</a>
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) <a href="https://twitter.com/vivekagnihotri/status/1748650400302125398?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
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"Only 11 days are left for the consecration of Ramlala in Ayodhya. I am fortunate that I will also be a witness to this auspicious occasion. The Lord has made me an instrument to represent all the people of India during the consecration. Keeping this in mind, I am starting a special ritual of 11 days from today. I am seeking blessings from all the people. At this moment, it is very difficult to express my feelings in words, but I have tried from my side," the Indian prime minister said in a post on X social media platform earlier.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ram-temple-inauguration-govt-issues-advisory-to-media-social-media-platforms-against-posting-false-content-681876">Ram Temple inauguration: Govt issues advisory to media, social media platforms against posting false content</a>

Bollywood celebrities like Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kangana Ranaut, Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, and Randeep Hooda, among others, are likely to attend the historic event.&nbsp;

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The inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir is going to be the grandest event the world has seen in recent years. Many A-listers from the showbiz, sports, and business fraternities have been invited to witness the historic moment scheduled for January 22.

The inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir is going to be the grandest event the world has seen in recent years. Many A-listers from the showbiz, sports, and business fraternities have been invited to witness the historic moment scheduled for January 22. Check all live updates of Ram Mandir Inauguration here. However, ahead of the grand event, The Kashmir Files director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has revealed that he will not be able to attend the auspicious ceremony. Expressing his sorrow for not being able to present on the big day, Vivek wrote on X that he's currently out of India. Jackie Shroff cleans temple stairs in Mumbai ahead of Ram Temple inauguration Sharing the photo of the invitation for the 'Pran Pratishtha', consecration ceremony, the director wrote on X, “I was pleasantly surprised to receive many follow up calls from the office of CM @myogiadityanath Ji. The lady asked me travel details in an extremely warm but professional manner. Mighty impressed with the way technology is used to ensure a comfortable and safe visit for all. It’s unfortunate that I am not being able to attend #PranPratishtha as I am not in Bharat on 22nd Jan for some inevitable reason and only Ram ji knows how sad I am. #RamMandir.” The Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is set to take place between 12:15 pm and 12:45 pm. PM Modi, who is currently performing an 11-day-long 'anushthan' or special ritual, will also grace the inauguration ceremony of Ram Mandir. I was pleasantly surprised to receive many follow up calls from the office of CM @myogiadityanath Ji. The lady asked me travel details in an extremely warm but professional manner. Mighty impressed with the way technology is used to ensure a comfortable and safe visit for all.… pic.twitter.com/WJtrJ05rhM — Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) January 20, 2024 × "Only 11 days are left for the consecration of Ramlala in Ayodhya. I am fortunate that I will also be a witness to this auspicious occasion. The Lord has made me an instrument to represent all the people of India during the consecration. Keeping this in mind, I am starting a special ritual of 11 days from today. I am seeking blessings from all the people. At this moment, it is very difficult to express my feelings in words, but I have tried from my side," the Indian prime minister said in a post on X social media platform earlier. Ram Temple inauguration: Govt issues advisory to media, social media platforms against posting false content Bollywood celebrities like Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kangana Ranaut, Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, and Randeep Hooda, among others, are likely to attend the historic event.

Vivek Agnihotri will not be able to attend Ram Mandir consecration ceremony: Find out why

If one indulges in a drinking game every time the characters of Vivek Agnihotri's film The Vaccine War utter the word atma nirbhar (self-reliant),&nbsp;one would be happy high by the end of the 160-minute-long film. The Vaccine War, Agnihotri's film, is about the set of events and lockdowns that led to India creating its own COVID-19 vaccine in record time,&nbsp;but ultimately becomes yet another platform through which the filmmaker reiterates his political beliefs. The Vaccine War, therefore, ends up becoming a bizarre advertisement for the government of India. 
 
There is no harm in being that nor is there a harm in showing how a bunch of scientists in India worked tirelessly to create India's vaccine at a time when practically every country was racing to create its own vaccine and sell it worldwide. The story of India's medical officers and scientists working relentlessly to find the country's indigenous Covaxin vaccine is truly inspirational. It needs to be talked about and celebrated. But Agnihotri ever so often slips a jargon or a propaganda or two about the government, its achievements, and its ideology in the narrative. When it isn't showcasing the current government's great achievements, the film is bashing those who dare to question the system.&nbsp; 
 
In fact, in The Vaccine War, the media is the biggest villain. The press and especially the ones who dare to question the government pose a greater threat in Agnihotri's India than a mutating virus. One can treat a virus it seems, but what to do with those who may want to question or pose a doubt about the system? They are the biggest problem for Agnihotri and his characters.&nbsp;

What is The Vaccine War about? 
 
Based on the 2021 memoir of former Indian Council of Medical Research Director-General Balram Bhargava, Going Viral: Making of Covaxin, The Vaccine War is headlined by Nana Patekar who returns to the screen after a long hiatus. Patekar plays Bhargava, the eccentric, workaholic, non-expressive chief who is motivated and leads a pack of scientists who take up the daunting task of creating a vaccine as India and the world are crippled by Coronavirus in 2020.&nbsp; 
 
Bhargava's army consists mostly of talented women, including virologists Priya Abraham (Pallavi Joshi), Nivedita Gupta (Girija Oak) and Dr Pragya Yadav (Nivedita Bhattacharya). The women are shown not only being able leaders at work, taking up more work and stretching beyond office hours but also as mothers and homemakers trying to balance their two worlds.&nbsp; 
 
The first half of the film is a dramatization of the actual incidents of how the team sets out to first identify and understand the virus and then eventually tries&nbsp;to find a vaccine that can work in India's favour. The main villain of the story is a science journalist called Rohini Singh Dhulia (Raima Sen) who seems to be motivated by foreign pharma companies to lead a smear campaign against the government, its scientists, and their noble efforts. Sen's character is supposedly fictional but one can easily see that she is after all an amalgamation of certain journalists who have time and again questioned the government and its actions.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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Agenda-driven second half&nbsp; 
 
In The Vaccine War, Rohini seems to have a single-point agenda. To malign and undermine India's effort to be self-reliant or atma nirbhar, a word that keeps appearing more in Agnihotri's narrative than the vaccine itself. And while Rohini and the likes of her are shown criticising openly, the scientists, or soldiers as Bhargava likes to call them, wage a war against the virus to create the Covaxin vaccine for India.&nbsp; 
 
I found myself feeling exasperated at certain moments in the first half but post-interval almost gave up on the story because by then it was not about the vaccine anymore. Sure the scientists are shown to find the cure, get first rejected by WHO and eventually find approval&nbsp;but all these things take a backseat because they seem to have a bigger problem to handle - bad press. The team of scientists is&nbsp;then shown to get involved in long discussions about how they need to speak to the public to clear out fake news that is being pelted by the media even as Bhargava keeps insisting on not talking to the press at all and just concentrating on work.&nbsp; 
 
The second half also attempts to arm-twist emotion out of the viewer with over-dramatization of familial issues of the scientist at home. There is a shot of the Director-General overlooking a cremation ground from his terrace which can be triggering to many.&nbsp; 
 
The biggest eyesore is the climax where the protagonist starts rattling off numbers to prove India's achievements in the vaccine race and also casually slips in the government's theory of how the oxygen crisis during the second wave of the pandemic was a gimmick and how the Delhi government hoarded cylinders to create a crisis. Don't know why was there a need to talk about the oxygen crisis in the middle of a scientific press briefing. The climax also shows the hero - Bhargava - taking on the villain - Rohini and the press - over facts calling her out on fake articles and orchestrating a hate campaign on social media. 
 
The cast consists of Joshi, Bhattacharya, and Patekar who are credible. Pallavi Joshi, who serves as the producer of the film, seems inconsistent with her accent and appears more dramatic and loud than others. Some moments stand out, where the film tries to show how the talented scientist community is also often the most overlooked and underpaid by the government. Then there are a few moments and dialogues which are downright offensive and triggering especially for those who have lost their loved one in the past two years due to the pandemic.&nbsp; 
 
Some of Agnihotri's previous films have been scream fest melodramas. The Vaccine War isn't. He does try to give tribute to India's medical practitioners and scientists who rose to the crisis called Coronavirus and tried to help fellow Indians even as the system failed them. But in Agnihotri's world, it wasn't the system that failed Indians but fake news and media that created the illusion of crisis.&nbsp;

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If one indulges in a drinking game every time the characters of Vivek Agnihotri's film The Vaccine War utter the word atma nirbhar (self-reliant), one would be happy high by the end of the 160-minute-long film.

If one indulges in a drinking game every time the characters of Vivek Agnihotri's film The Vaccine War utter the word atma nirbhar (self-reliant), one would be happy high by the end of the 160-minute-long film. The Vaccine War, Agnihotri's film, is about the set of events and lockdowns that led to India creating its own COVID-19 vaccine in record time, but ultimately becomes yet another platform through which the filmmaker reiterates his political beliefs. The Vaccine War, therefore, ends up becoming a bizarre advertisement for the government of India. There is no harm in being that nor is there a harm in showing how a bunch of scientists in India worked tirelessly to create India's vaccine at a time when practically every country was racing to create its own vaccine and sell it worldwide. The story of India's medical officers and scientists working relentlessly to find the country's indigenous Covaxin vaccine is truly inspirational. It needs to be talked about and celebrated. But Agnihotri ever so often slips a jargon or a propaganda or two about the government, its achievements, and its ideology in the narrative. When it isn't showcasing the current government's great achievements, the film is bashing those who dare to question the system. In fact, in The Vaccine War, the media is the biggest villain. The press and especially the ones who dare to question the government pose a greater threat in Agnihotri's India than a mutating virus. One can treat a virus it seems, but what to do with those who may want to question or pose a doubt about the system? They are the biggest problem for Agnihotri and his characters. What is The Vaccine War about? Based on the 2021 memoir of former Indian Council of Medical Research Director-General Balram Bhargava, Going Viral: Making of Covaxin, The Vaccine War is headlined by Nana Patekar who returns to the screen after a long hiatus. Patekar plays Bhargava, the eccentric, workaholic, non-expressive chief who is motivated and leads a pack of scientists who take up the daunting task of creating a vaccine as India and the world are crippled by Coronavirus in 2020. Bhargava's army consists mostly of talented women, including virologists Priya Abraham (Pallavi Joshi), Nivedita Gupta (Girija Oak) and Dr Pragya Yadav (Nivedita Bhattacharya). The women are shown not only being able leaders at work, taking up more work and stretching beyond office hours but also as mothers and homemakers trying to balance their two worlds. The first half of the film is a dramatization of the actual incidents of how the team sets out to first identify and understand the virus and then eventually tries to find a vaccine that can work in India's favour. The main villain of the story is a science journalist called Rohini Singh Dhulia (Raima Sen) who seems to be motivated by foreign pharma companies to lead a smear campaign against the government, its scientists, and their noble efforts. Sen's character is supposedly fictional but one can easily see that she is after all an amalgamation of certain journalists who have time and again questioned the government and its actions. Agenda-driven second half In The Vaccine War, Rohini seems to have a single-point agenda. To malign and undermine India's effort to be self-reliant or atma nirbhar, a word that keeps appearing more in Agnihotri's narrative than the vaccine itself. And while Rohini and the likes of her are shown criticising openly, the scientists, or soldiers as Bhargava likes to call them, wage a war against the virus to create the Covaxin vaccine for India. I found myself feeling exasperated at certain moments in the first half but post-interval almost gave up on the story because by then it was not about the vaccine anymore. Sure the scientists are shown to find the cure, get first rejected by WHO and eventually find approval but all these things take a backseat because they seem to have a bigger problem to handle - bad press. The team of scientists is then shown to get involved in long discussions about how they need to speak to the public to clear out fake news that is being pelted by the media even as Bhargava keeps insisting on not talking to the press at all and just concentrating on work. The second half also attempts to arm-twist emotion out of the viewer with over-dramatization of familial issues of the scientist at home. There is a shot of the Director-General overlooking a cremation ground from his terrace which can be triggering to many. The biggest eyesore is the climax where the protagonist starts rattling off numbers to prove India's achievements in the vaccine race and also casually slips in the government's theory of how the oxygen crisis during the second wave of the pandemic was a gimmick and how the Delhi government hoarded cylinders to create a crisis. Don't know why was there a need to talk about the oxygen crisis in the middle of a scientific press briefing. The climax also shows the hero - Bhargava - taking on the villain - Rohini and the press - over facts calling her out on fake articles and orchestrating a hate campaign on social media. The cast consists of Joshi, Bhattacharya, and Patekar who are credible. Pallavi Joshi, who serves as the producer of the film, seems inconsistent with her accent and appears more dramatic and loud than others. Some moments stand out, where the film tries to show how the talented scientist community is also often the most overlooked and underpaid by the government. Then there are a few moments and dialogues which are downright offensive and triggering especially for those who have lost their loved one in the past two years due to the pandemic. Some of Agnihotri's previous films have been scream fest melodramas. The Vaccine War isn't. He does try to give tribute to India's medical practitioners and scientists who rose to the crisis called Coronavirus and tried to help fellow Indians even as the system failed them. But in Agnihotri's world, it wasn't the system that failed Indians but fake news and media that created the illusion of crisis. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

The Vaccine War review: Not Covid but media is the biggest villain in Vivek Agnihotri's film

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The Delhi Files : The Bengal Chapter: Mithun Chakraborty will stun you in the first power packed teaser | Watch

Vivek Agnihotri will not be able to attend Ram Mandir consecration ceremony: Find out why

The Vaccine War review: Not Covid but media is the biggest villain in Vivek Agnihotri's film