AICWA demands action by West Bengal, Odisha CMs over Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee's death

Mumbai: A day after noted Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee drowned in the sea during a shoot at Talsari beach near Digha in Odisha, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) on Monday serious concerns regarding the gross negligence of safety protocols on set of television series “Bhole Baba Paar Karega” and called for a thorough probe. 

Banerjee lost his life while shooting for the television series “Bhole Baba Paar Karega” at Talsari beach, located near Digha on the Odisha–West Bengal border. The incident reportedly occurred during the filming of a sea-based scene, where the actor entered the water and tragically drowned.

“As per standard industry norms, any shoot involving water bodies—especially the sea—requires strict supervision by trained professionals, safety divers, rescue teams, and emergency preparedness. The absence or failure of such critical safety measures points toward severe lapses by the producers, production house, and the concerned broadcasting channel,” said AICWA president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta.

The AICWA has urged West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her Odisha counterpart Mohan Charan Majhi to register an FIR under charges of murder against the producers, production house, and the channel associated with the TV series “Bhole Baba Paar Karega”.

“An FIR must be registered under charges of murder against the producers, production house, and the channel associated with the TV series “Bhole Baba Paar Karega”,” he said.

He also demanded ensuring compensation of Rs 1 crore to the family of Rahul Arunodoy Banerjee, which busy be  recovered from the responsible production entities and channel. “Blacklist the producers, production house, and the concerned channel involved in the project, and impose a complete ban on their future operations within the Indian film and television industry until strict safety compliance mechanisms are verified and enforced,” he said. 

“The untimely demise of Rahul Arunodoy Banerjee marks the end of an era for the Bengali film and television industry. The entire Indian film fraternity stands united in grief, as the industry functions like one extended family. AICWA will not remain silent. We will continue to fight for justice and accountability until those responsible are held accountable,” said Gupta.