September 2025 – Top Stories on Politics and Film
Welcome to the September 2025 archive of News Lives India. Here you’ll find a quick rundown of the two biggest pieces we published last month – a heated political clash in Assam and a film that split audiences. Both stories sparked conversation, and you can get the key takeaways without digging through endless pages.
Amit Shah vs Gaurav Gogoi: The Assam Showdown
In early September, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to the floor of Parliament and directly challenged Assam MP Gaurav Gogoi. Shah accused Gogoi of turning a blind eye to alleged Pakistan‑backed activities in the state, a claim that echoed a recent SIT report submitted to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The report suggests a wider conspiracy involving cross‑border influence, and the BJP is using it to frame national security as the centerpiece of the 2026 Assam election.
Gogoi, now APCC chief, fired back by defending his record and questioning the timing of Shah’s remarks. He called the allegations a political stunt aimed at distracting voters from local issues like unemployment and flood relief. Meanwhile, the Congress has rallied behind Gogoi, promising to expose what they call a “manufactured narrative.” The episode has turned Assam politics into a battlefield where security rhetoric battles development promises, and every rally now feels like a mini‑debate on India’s border policies.
The Bengal Files: A Mixed Review
Vivek Agnihotri’s three‑hour feature, The Bengal Files, hit theatres in mid‑September, aiming to re‑examine the 1946 Direct Action Day riots. The film blends courtroom‑style investigation with dramatized re‑enactments, and it doesn’t hold back on graphic violence or long monologues. Critics praised Pallavi Joshi and Simratt Kaur for delivering powerful performances that anchor the sprawling narrative.
However, opinions quickly diverged. Some reviewers felt the excessive gore and marathon speeches made the viewing experience exhausting, while others argued that the raw depiction was necessary to confront a painful chapter of history. The film’s adult‑only rating limited its audience, yet the controversy ensured that conversations about colonial legacy and communal harmony kept resurfacing on social media. Whether you see it as a bold historical revision or a sensationalized spectacle, The Bengal Files has undeniably reignited debate about how India remembers its past.
Both stories illustrate how September 2025 was anything but quiet for Indian headlines. From political fire‑storms in the northeast to a cinematic attempt at historical reckoning, the month offered plenty of material for discussion. Browse the archive to read the full articles, see quotes in context, and stay informed about what’s shaping the nation today.
Amit Shah Targets Gaurav Gogoi as Pakistan Angle Takes Center Stage in Assam’s 2026 Battle
Amit Shah challenged Gaurav Gogoi over alleged Pakistan links in Parliament and doubled down at a Guwahati rally, sharpening a new fault line in Assam politics. An SIT set up by the state has submitted a report to CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who claims a wider conspiracy. Congress backs Gogoi, now APCC chief, as the BJP prepares to make national security a key 2026 poll theme.
The Bengal Files Review: Vivek Agnihotri’s 1946 Direct Action Day drama splits audiences
Vivek Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files tackles the 1946 Direct Action Day riots with a three-hour, adults-only narrative that blends investigation and historical reenactment. Strong performances, especially by Pallavi Joshi and Simratt Kaur, stand out. Critics are split over the graphic violence, long speeches, and editing. The film aims to reopen a fraught chapter of history and has sparked polarized reactions.
