Kolkata, April 7 – Actors and technicians in the Bengali film and television industry began an indefinite strike on Tuesday to protest the death of actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, who died during a shoot at Talsari beach in Odisha recently. The group is demanding improved safety measures on sets.
Bharat Lakshmi Studio, a film studio on Prince Anwar Shah Road in South Kolkata, was deserted on Tuesday morning, with shooting floors locked and no technical activity underway. Security guards were seen discussing when the shooting would resume.
There were no lights, no cameras, and no activity, and with technicians staying away, directors were unable to resume work and stood in solidarity with the bereaved family.
Later in the day, actors and technicians were expected to gather at the studio to participate in the protest and offer moral support. Artists over 70 years of age have been exempted from participation, although several were likely to be present.
Rahul Arunoday Banerjee's wife and actress Priyanka Sarkar will also participate in the strike later in the day. Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee, actress Rituparna Sengupta, and others are likely to be present. Superstar Dev and Federation President Swarup Biswas will also be present.
On March 29, the 42-year-old actor, while filming a television series 'Bhole Baba Paar Karega', died after he entered the water at Talsari beach as the tide came in. This incident has brought the Bengali film and television industry to a standstill. Fellow actors, directors, and technicians have expressed shock at the tragic death of the actor, who is survived by his mother, his wife, actress Priyanka Sarkar, and a 13-year-old son.
A group of artists has demanded a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the incident and called for mandatory safety arrangements, including the presence of an ambulance at every shooting location.
Priyanka Sarkar, the late actor's wife, has filed a complaint at the Regent Park police station in Kolkata and the Talsari police station in Odisha. She has also filed an FIR against five people from the production company 'Magic Moments', which was responsible for shooting at Talsari beach.
Rahul, known in the Bengali television industry for his character roles, had been active in soaps for several years.
He rose to fame with his role in the blockbuster 'Chirodini tumi je amar' in 2008, followed by hits such as 'Tumi asbe bole' (2014), 'Zulfiqar' (2016), 'Byomkesh Gotro' (2018), 'Biday Byomkesh' (2018), 'The Academy of Fine Arts' (2025), among others. He had also acted in TV serials such as 'Hargouri pice hotel' and 'Mohonna'.