Kamal Ghorui
The makers of Bengali television serial Bhole Baba Par Karega have issued a statement following the tragic death of actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, expressing grief and assuring a transparent inquiry into the incident.Banerjee, 43, passed away on March 29 after allegedly drowning during a shoot at Talsari beach in Odisha’s Baleswar district.As per PTI, in their statement, the production house said, “All members of the cast and crew are in profound mourning.”They added, “We request a few days to gather accounts of the cast and crew present at the time of the tragedy, in a neutral and structured manner, so that we can present a comprehensive and accurate report.”The producers also extended an invitation to the actor’s family and industry bodies to be part of the inquiry process.“We would welcome a representative nominated by the actor’s family, friends or the West Bengal Motion Picture Artists’ Forum to observe the process and ensure fairness,” the statement read.
‘He was rescued alive… reports are in all probability incorrect’
Addressing the sequence of events, the makers shared preliminary findings while also countering certain media claims.“Initial information suggests that Rahul was rescued alive from the water and was attempting to communicate,” they said.“He was first taken to a nearby clinic at Talsari where no doctor was available, and was later shifted to Digha State General Hospital, where he was declared dead.”Refuting some reports, the statement added, “Claims that the actor remained underwater for an extended period are in all probability incorrect.”
‘No possibility of negligence will go unexamined’
The production house stressed that all aspects of the incident will be thoroughly investigated.“All permissions, communications with authorities and relevant documents will be furnished as part of the ongoing investigation,” they said.“No possibility of negligence, however small, will go unexamined.”They further noted that director Saibal Banerjee, who was in Mumbai at the time, rushed to Kolkata upon hearing the news and visited the actor’s residence the same night.Describing Rahul as “not only our colleague but also our friend,” the makers said they remain committed to full cooperation with authorities and will share shooting footage and official records with the family, subject to necessary permissions.
Forum raises concerns over safety measures
Meanwhile, the West Bengal Motion Pictures Artists’ Forum has raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the incident.“It is important to understand what exactly transpired during the shoot and whether proper safety measures were in place,” the forum said in its statement.The body added that it is closely monitoring developments and expects a thorough and impartial investigation, stressing that the safety and security of artists on shooting locations must remain a top priority.Banerjee’s death has sent shockwaves across the Bengali entertainment industry, with colleagues and fans mourning the loss of the actor, who is survived by his wife, Priyanka Sarkar, and their son.
