In a significant move aimed at strengthening on-set safety, stakeholders from Kolkata's Tollygunge film industry have decided to make insurance mandatory for all Bengali films and television productions. The decision comes in the wake of recent incidents, most notably the tragic death of actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, which exposed gaps in existing safety practices.
The resolution was finalised during a joint meeting of the Eastern India Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA) and the West Bengal Motion Picture Artists' Forum. The meeting focused on reviewing current safety protocols and drafting a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) to prevent future mishaps on sets.
The meeting was attended by several well-known industry figures, including Prosenjit Chatterjee. Key officials, including EIMPA president Piya Sengupta and chairman Ritabrata Bhattacharya, were also present, along with producers Rana Sarkar and Pradip Nandy. Producer Shrikant Mohta joined the meeting online.
Speaking after the meeting, producer Rana Sarkar said that insurance coverage will now be mandatory for all productions. He added that several other safety measures were discussed, and a detailed SOP will be released soon, as reported by Press Trust of India.
Apart from insurance, discussions also included stricter discipline on sets, such as rules around alcohol and smoking. Final decisions on these points are expected soon, along with the official SOP.
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Rahul, who was 42, lost his life on March 29 at Talsari beach in Odisha during the shoot of the television serial Bhole Baba Par Karega. He reportedly tried to save a female co-actor who slipped into a depression on the beach. While she was rescued quickly, Rahul could not be saved in time. He was taken to a nearby hospital in Digha, where doctors declared him dead. Reports later revealed that sand and saline water had entered his lungs.
The production house involved has denied allegations of negligence, stating it had obtained proper permissions for the shoot.
In the aftermath, members of the industry held a protest march in Kolkata on April 5, demanding answers. The West Bengal Motion Pictures Artists' Forum also filed an FIR and announced a boycott of the production banner linked to the TV show until clarity emerges on the circumstances surrounding Rahul's death.
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