Amid ongoing controversies in the Malayalam film industry over sexual harassment claims and inadequate redressal mechanisms, the Bengali film industry has been hit by a similar scandal.
Acclaimed Bengali filmmaker Arindam Sil has been suspended from the Directors’ Association of Eastern India (DAEI) following allegations of sexual harassment. The suspension follows accusations by a female actress who claimed that Sil forcibly kissed her during a film shoot. Shocked to later see him participating in a ‘Reclaim the Night’ rally in Kolkata, the actress has decided to pursue legal action.
According to reports, the chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Women (WBCW), Leena Gangopadhyay, commented on the case, saying, “The actor told us she felt publicly humiliated and wanted a public apology in writing. Sil initially claimed the act was unintentional, but the actress contested this, alleging that he even asked if she had enjoyed being kissed.”
Rupanjana Mitra, another prominent actress, was the first to publicly accuse Sil of sexual harassment, making allegations four years ago. Speaking to Anandabazar Patrika, she said, “Last night proved I was right all along. My resolve has only strengthened, and I will fight again if necessary.”
The Hema Committee Report has caused a nationwide uproar, with its impact resonating far beyond the Malayalam film industry.
Actress Swastika Mukherjee took to Facebook to express her views, directly calling out filmmakers and the industry’s deep-rooted issues. In her post, she wrote, “The pit of sin is reversed, something I thought I’d never see in my lifetime. Lord, you’ve made it happen. This is huge. It took 20 years, but better late than never.”
She continued, “To all the women in our world, the time has come to reclaim our dignity. No more fear. We must tear away the masks of those corrupt individuals by raising our voices, by raising our fists, and by amplifying our screams. Come forward, everyone. Let’s stand united, hand in hand, and fight together. This is our BASIC RIGHT.”
Sil is the first major figure in the Bengali film industry—often referred to as Tollywood—to face consequences from the DAEI, following the industry’s own #MeToo movement, similar to what unfolded in Kerala’s film industry. In an interview with a major news channel, Sil expressed his confusion over the allegations, stating, “I don’t know how to react. All I can say is that my conscience is clear. The incident in question occurred in front of many people as we were discussing how a scene should be performed. I believe most directors do this.”
Sil also told the media that he is seeking legal counsel and reiterated that he has a clear conscience. “There’s nothing on my mind right now. I’m sorry if she felt hurt by any unintentional action of mine. I’m seeking expert advice and leaving the rest to time. People are free to say what they wish, but they don’t know the truth,” he said.
The actress who made the latest allegation claimed that Sil had insisted she sit on his lap during the shoot, which she refused. According to her, he became forceful and, after she complied out of fear, he kissed her on the cheek. “I was shocked but didn’t know how to react. I moved away quickly, but he acted as though nothing had happened. People around were smiling, treating it like a joke. When I confronted him later, he asked, ‘Didn’t you like it?’”
Sil had submitted an apology letter to the Women’s Commission investigating the case, which was considered prima facie evidence by the DAEI, leading to his suspension.
Known for his work on detective films like Har Har Byomkesh, Mitin Mashi, and the Shabor series, Sil’s suspension marks a significant moment in Tollywood as the industry confronts issues of misconduct and harassment.