"Well, okay. Actually, nothing is okay. I had called, call back if you see this! Alright?"
CPIM leader Dipsita Dhar shared a brief but deeply emotional message on social media, reflecting a sense of loss and helplessness. Alongside it, she posted a photograph from 2021 — one that shows her with Rahul Arunoday Banerjee on a campaign vehicle during the elections. With another election approaching, it is easy to imagine that she would have once again reached out to her “Rahulda” for support. But that possibility is now gone.
From his student days, Rahul had a strong belief in leftist ideology, something he spoke about on several occasions. At a time when ideological commitment often seems to be fading from politics, he held on to his convictions till his final days. Reacting to the news of his untimely death, his friend and colleague Rudranil Ghosh said, “He did not have the mentality to bend his spine for the greed of gain.”
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Although he was not a formal member of the CPIM, Rahul never hesitated to express his support for the party and its ideology. He remained unfazed by potential backlash from ruling party leaders or concerns about how his political stance might affect his work in Tollywood. These factors never deterred him. Instead, he continued to participate openly and actively in various leftist programmes, staying true to his beliefs.
Shatarup Ghosh pays tribute
After his untimely death, many CPIM leaders, especially young leaders, have broken down. Their condolence messages reveal how close the actor was to them. CPIM leader Shatarup Ghosh wrote, 'Had to hear this news too, Rahulda? ... Stay well in the land of no return.'
In the accompanying photo, Shatarup can be seen playing Holi with Sourav Palodhi and others with Rahul. His face colored red with vermillion. However, it was around a photo posted by Shatarup in 2021 that created distance between Rahul and CPIM. On August 16 that year, at the 500-day celebration event of CPIM's Shramjibi Canteen in Jadavpur, Shatarup had taken and shared a photo with BJP leader and former actress Rupa Bhattacharya and actor Anindyapulak Bandyopadhyay, who had recently left BJP. When that photo went viral, Rahul became upset. He announced on social media that he was severing all ties with CPIM.
He clearly stated, "I don't do politics for any temptation or power. My politics is purely ideological. If disappointed BJP members who didn't get tickets find place on CPIM's platform, then I am severing ties with CPIM from this very moment. My leftism is not dependent on CPIM. I will never share a platform with someone who has been associated with a communal party even once, especially if that person is a celebrity."
However, Rahul's resentment and anger did not last long. Nor did he, after becoming disillusioned with CPIM like Protikur Rahman, turn toward Trinamool Congress. Before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he returned to CPIM candidates' campaign vehicles at the call of young CPIM leaders.
CPIM’s young leader Mayukh Biswas also shared the same photograph today. Dipsita had been a candidate from Serampore, and Rahul had joined her campaign. In the image, Dipsita and Mayukh are seen alongside Badsha Maitra and Rahul, riding in an open jeep during the election trail. Sharing the photo, Mayukh wrote, “Unbelievable! Rahul da… this was just during the last Lok Sabha election campaign!”
Dipsita, Shatarup, and Mayukh may be among the more visible faces, but beyond them, Rahul had built close bonds with countless young CPIM leaders, workers, and supporters. Today, all of them are grieving. More than grief, there is a deep sense of disbelief — it is hard for them to accept that their beloved ‘comrade’ is no more.
Rahul may not have received state honours like Banga Bibhushan or Banga Bhushan, but the place he earned in people’s hearts perhaps carries a value far beyond any formal recognition.
