Poppy 
Summary – A misprinted poster for ‘The Bengal Files’ movie featuring Gandhi caused unplanned laughs across Kolkata.,
Article –
Kolkata recently became the center of an unexpected comedy when a promotional poster for the upcoming film ‘The Bengal Files’ mistakenly featured Mahatma Gandhi prominently, causing amusement across the city. The film, directed by Vivek Agnihotri and set to release on September 5, 2025, addresses the historically serious Bengal riots of 1946, but the poster mix-up brought a humorous twist to the promotional campaign.
What Went Wrong?
In early September 2025, posters began appearing throughout Kolkata promoting ‘The Bengal Files’. These posters accidentally showcased Anupam Kher as Mahatma Gandhi with such prominence that many people were confused, questioning Gandhi’s starring role in a movie about riots. The error arose when the promotional team enlarged Gandhi’s image drastically, making it nearly the full face of the poster rather than a background figure.
Who Slipped Up?
The advertising agency responsible for the film’s marketing acknowledged the mistake. It was caused by a combination of strict deadlines and miscommunication between the art director and the print house. The intended balanced poster design ended up emphasizing Gandhi disproportionately.
After the error was discovered, Vivek Agnihotri’s team quickly retracted the posters within 48 hours and issued corrected versions. Even Anupam Kher made light of the situation on social media, joking that Gandhi “stole the spotlight” before the film’s release.
Public Reaction and Social Media Buzz
- Social media erupted with memes and witty comments about Gandhi’s unexpected prominence, with people joking about a “peaceful riot intervention.”
- A popular tweet showed a street filled with the Gandhi-centric posters captioned: “When you want to watch a riot, but Gandhi steals your heart – literally.”
- Several locals initially thought the movie focused mainly on Gandhian philosophy before realizing the true subject was the violent 1946 riots.
Official Responses
The West Bengal Film Promotion Board acknowledged the mishap graciously, highlighting the difficulties of managing tight deadlines alongside sensitive historic content. No formal complaints were filed. The Kolkata mayor added a humorous note during a press conference, suggesting that if Gandhi managed publicity this well, maybe the city should consider having him on the municipal board.
What Happens Next?
- Corrected posters began appearing on September 3, replacing the Gandhi-focused version.
- The film’s producers reassured the public about the historical accuracy and depth of the movie.
- Ticket pre-sales increased, showing that even this promotional blunder sparked greater interest.
- The advertising agency committed to stricter quality controls in future projects.
This incident serves as a reminder that even well-planned promotions can encounter unexpected surprises. The accidental Gandhi cameo has now become a local legend and a valuable lesson in public relations recovery, mixing humor with professionalism. As Kolkata awaits the official release of ‘The Bengal Files’, the city shares a lighthearted smile borne from an unusual marketing mix-up.
About The Author
