How did Darshan Kumar gain 14 kgs for Vivek Agnihotri's 'The Bengal Files'? Actor reveals 'I had to...'

Darshan Kumar is stepping into one of the most intense roles of his career with The Bengal Files, directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and produced by Abhishek Agarwal and Pallavi Joshi. The film, which explores the harrowing events of Direct Action Day, is set for release on September 5, 2025, and promises to be both a cinematic and educational experience.

Kumar portrays an honest CBI officer tasked with handling a politically sensitive case in Bengal. Reflecting on the preparation required, he said, “I play the role of an honest CBI officer who reaches Bengal to handle a sensitive case. It has been one of the most challenging roles to play, thanks to Vivek ji who has written such a layered character. To prepare for the role, I did a lot of research on how the CBI works—how they handle sensitive and high-pressure cases. I read reports, watched real-life interviews, and even spoke to a few people who understand the system. I wanted to get the right body language, mindset, and discipline of a CBI officer. To look and feel the part, I worked really hard. I even gained around 14 kilos for the role. I didn’t just play a CBI officer — I lived his silence, his discipline, and his inner battles.”

On what the film aims to convey, Darshan was equally passionate, he said, “The Bengal Files is not just a film — it’s a history lesson. And it’s releasing on Teachers’ Day for a reason. It teaches us about a horrifying chapter we were never taught enough about — Direct Action Day. It was terrifying, brutal, and real. People will walk out of the theatre with more than just emotions — they’ll walk out with knowledge. And hopefully, that knowledge ensures something like this never happens again.”

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Written and directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, produced by Abhishek Agarwal and Pallavi Joshi. The film stars Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, Pallavi Joshi, amongst the ensemble of cast. The film releases in theatres on September 5, 2025.