Rahul Arunoday Banerjee died suddenly on March 29, which shocked the Bengali film industry. People got worried about safety on film sets. At first, it looked like an accident, but later people started talking about who is responsible and how people work on sets.
Several media reports said the 42-year-old actor drowned in the sea during a shoot. But soon, many people asked if proper safety rules were followed at that time.
After the incident, many people in the industry reacted strongly. There were strikes, boycotts, and demands to make better safety rules so such an event does not happen again.
Actors-technicians call for a strike
After the incident, the Artists’ Forum made two Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and gave them to channel authorities and the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPA). The industry said they would not work until everyone agreed on better safety rules.The strike showed that artists and technicians are united. They said safety and proper rules on sets are very important and cannot be ignored.
Also read: Tollywood shoots to resume tomorrow after strike; Magic Moments Motion Pictures faces boycott
Industry members boycott Magic Moments
The incident also led to a boycott of the production house Magic Moments and the show Bhole Baba Par Karega. Veteran actor Ranjit Mallick stated that the industry would not work with them until there is clarity on the actor’s death.
Speaking to the media at Technician’s Studio in Tollygunge, Prosenjit Chatterjee said: “We will not work with any of the makers associated with the serial or the production banner till we learn how Banerjee passed away.”
However, he added that while the boycott would continue, other productions could resume work from April 8. Several actors including Dev, Abir Chatterjee, Subhashree Ganguly, Koyel Mallick, Rituparna Sengupta, and Aparajita Auddy attended the meeting, showing unity.
Co-star reacts
Rahul’s co-star Rajannya Mitra stepped away from Bhole Baba Par Karega. Speaking to the media, she said: “From the moment I heard about the accident, I haven’t been able to return to normal.” She also shared that she learned about the incident only after pack-up.
At the same time, she defended the production house, saying: “In 11 years, I have never seen any negligence from Magic Moments. They respect artists."
What Priyanka Sarkar said
Rahul’s wife Priyanka Sarkar also spoke and asked for change. In her Facebook post, she wrote: “Thank you all for standing by us during this difficult time. On the 7th, the entire film family seemed to unite in one voice—with the same thoughts, the same concerns, and endless love. There is no division here, no political color, no conflict of personal interests or egos. There is only one truth here—we are a family. This united fight today is born out of deep affection and compassion for a member of the family.
Some loved Rahul as an actor, some knew him as Arunoday, and some loved the writer Rahul Arunoday Banerjee. A death today has united our entire family. But let this untimely death not be just a sad memory; let it be the beginning of a bigger change. Only then will this man remain immortal among us; that will be his true successor or legacy. Let our goal be one—so that such an accident does not happen again in the future. Be it a technician or an artist—so that no one has to fight for their honor and dignity after death.”
How the incident happened
According to reports, Rahul Arunoday Banerjee was shooting a boat scene in Digha when he lost balance and fell into the sea. Crew members tried to rescue him and managed to pull him out after nearly an hour.
He was then taken to a hospital around 11 kilometers away, but doctors could not save him. The incident has since raised serious questions about safety preparedness on sets.
Rahul Arunoday Banerjee’s death has made the Bengali film industry very sad and shocked. It also showed that there are problems in safety and responsibility on film sets. Many actors and technicians spoke up and clearly said that changes are needed.
Everyone in the industry is still mourning his loss. At the same time, they want better and stricter safety rules so such accidents do not happen again. Many people hope that this sad incident will bring beneficial changes in the future.
