The Bengali film and television industry has come to a halt from April 7, with an indefinite strike announced over the death of actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee. While artists and technicians gathered in large numbers to demand safety and accountability, actor Ankush Hazra issued a public apology for not being able to attend the crucial meeting, citing a personal emergency.
Ankush Hazra expresses regret, extends support
Taking to Instagram, Ankush Hazra shared a note addressing his absence from the Artist Forum and Federation meeting held at Technicians Studio. He wrote,
"I sincerely apologize for my inability to attend the Artist Forum/Federation meeting held at Technician Studio. Due to an unforeseen family medical emergency, it was not possible for me to be present on this important occasion.”
“I truly regret missing the opportunity to be part of such a significant discussion. I deeply value the efforts being made for the betterment of our film industry and the welfare of its artists and technicians. Please consider my full support and solidarity with the objectives and initiatives discussed in the meeting.”
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“I look forward to being actively involved in future discussions and contributing in every possible way”, he further added.
Industry halts work, demands safety measures
The decision to suspend all film and television shoots was taken after members of the Artist Forum and technicians’ federation met on Sunday. The move follows the death of Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, who drowned on March 29 while shooting at Talsari beach in Odisha.
An FIR has been lodged at Regent Park police station in Kolkata by the West Bengal Artist Forum against the production house. Rahul’s wife, actress Priyanka Sarkar, also filed a separate complaint at Talsari police station.
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Banerjee, 43, died by drowning on March 29 while filming the television show Bhole Baba Par Karega near Talsari beach in Odisha. The show is backed by Magic Moments Motion Pictures, headed by Leena Gangopadhyay and Saibal Banerjee.
The call to halt all shoots was taken during a meeting held on Sunday by the West Bengal Motion Pictures Artists’ Forum along with the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India. Several prominent faces, including Prosenjit Chatterjee, Rituparna Sengupta, Shantilal Mukhopadhyay, Priyanka Sarkar and Jissu Sengupta, were present at the discussion.
