Veteran actor and politician Mithun Chakraborty declared that West Bengal is 'free today', making a pointed reference to the end of what he described as 15 years of rule under former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, following the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s victory in the recent state assembly elections. Chakraborty made the remarks on 14 May at a special media event in Mumbai held ahead of the release of the film Aakhri Sawal.

What Chakraborty Said

Speaking to reporters, Chakraborty framed the BJP's formation of government in West Bengal as the dawn of a new era. 'It is for everyone to see, everyone to answer, everyone to ask a question. And where you get convinced or not, that's totally yours. It's freedom. Bengal is free today. So you can ask anything in the world,' he said.

The actor-turned-politician did not elaborate on specific policy changes he expects, but his remarks were widely read as a celebration of the political transition in the state.

Defence of 'Aakhri Sawal' and 'The Bengal Files'

Chakraborty also pushed back sharply against critics of films such as Aakhri Sawal and The Bengal Files, arguing that such projects are rooted in historical fact rather than communal framing. 'Our film was stopped from screening in West Bengal earlier because it is political. What is political? What happened in 1946, which happened before our independence, how are you making it political? Everywhere you see Hindu-Muslim, not truth. If there is a Hindu-Muslim, then there must be something called truth. What is your problem in showing that?' he said.

His remarks come amid a broader debate in India over films that engage with partition-era and post-independence communal history, with critics arguing some productions selectively frame events, while supporters contend they surface suppressed narratives.

About 'Aakhri Sawal' and Its Political Reception

The film Aakhri Sawal, which stars Sanjay Dutt, portrays what its makers describe as the 100-year inspirational journey of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Ahead of its theatrical release, the production team organised a grand premiere in New Delhi, described as one of the capital's largest film gatherings in recent memory.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attended the screening alongside the film's cast and crew, and publicly praised the project. The event drew significant attention from BJP circles, with the film receiving visible political backing from party leaders.

Broader Context

Chakraborty, who joined the BJP ahead of the 2021 West Bengal assembly elections, has been a vocal supporter of the party's political campaign in the state. His latest remarks signal that BJP-aligned voices intend to use the electoral outcome as a platform to revisit narratives around governance, press freedom, and cultural expression in the state. How the new government translates these assertions into policy will be closely watched in the months ahead.