Protest
Bengali film industry on indefinite strike demanding safety reforms after Rahul Banerjee’s death
Kolkata/IBNS: All forms of shooting in the Bengali film industry came to a grinding halt on Tuesday as members of the fraternity went on an indefinite strike demanding stronger safety measures for artistes.
What’s the strike for?
The industry-wide shutdown was called in the wake of the death of actor Rahul Arunodoy Banerjee, who reportedly drowned while shooting for the daily soap Bhole Baba Paar Karega.
Prosenjit Chatterjee, Priyanka Sarkar, Rituparna Sengupta during protest march in Kolkata on April 4, 2026. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Around 11,000 technicians and 4,000 members of the West Motion Picture Artists' Forum have backed the strike.
Several prominent figures from Tollywood, including Prosenjit Chatterjee, Chiranjit Chakraborty, and Rituparna Sengupta, joined the protest at Tollywood studios.
Actor Priyanka Sarkar, Banerjee’s wife, was also present.
Bengali artistes protest
Last week, artistes across television and film industries participated in a protest march in Kolkata demanding justice for Banerjee, who died at the age of 42.
Priyanka Sarkar had filed cases against the serial’s production house, Magic Moments Motion Pictures Pvt. Ltd., in both Kolkata and Talsari. FIRs were registered at Regent Park police station in Kolkata and in Talsari, Odisha.
The legal action follows conflicting accounts surrounding Banerjee’s death.
He was reportedly swept away after falling into the sea while filming a drone shot.
Industry reaction
Prosenjit Chatterjee said the protest was launched after the production house failed to provide a satisfactory response to a letter sent by the Artists’ Forum.
“We will try to find the real story behind the incident so that Rahul’s son remains aware of the actual cause of his father’s death as he grows up,” he told the media.
Leena Gangopadhyay faces heat
Leena Gangopadhyay, founder of Magic Moments Motion Pictures and chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Women, has faced criticism over the incident.
She has offered to step down from her position as chairperson to ensure a free and fair probe into the matter.
Who was Rahul Arunodoy Banerjee?
Born in 1983, Rahul Banerjee rose to fame with his debut film Chirodini Tumi Je Amar (2008). Over the years, he worked across films, television, and OTT platforms, becoming a familiar face in Bengali entertainment.
His notable works include Jackpot, Jiyo Kaka, Kagojer Bou, Meghe Dhaka Tara, Chotushkon, Byomkesh Phire Alo, and Ebar Shabor.
He also hosted a YouTube podcast titled Shohoj Katha, featuring several eminent personalities.
In his personal life, he was married to actress Priyanka Sarkar.
The couple, who have a son named Shahoj, separated in 2017 but reportedly reconciled in 2023 to co-parent their child.
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