Rahul
Arunoday Banerjee’s untimely death highlighted the loopholes in the safety protocols on a film and television show set. The 43-year-old Bengali actor died of drowning at the Talsari beach in Odisha on March 29. Following the tragic demise, All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) President Suresh Shyamlal Gupta raised an alarm and also demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the incident and strict enforcement of safety regulations after Rahul died while shooting for the Star Jalsa show, Bhole Baba Paar Karega. He was on the set moments before drowning.
Prime Minister's Office fast-tracks Rahul Banerjee case
As per the latest development, the Prime Minister’s Office has taken cognisance of
Rahul’s unfortunate death and directed the Odisha Chief Minister’s Office and the Chief Secretary of Odisha to examine the matter and take appropriate action.
AICWA's letter to PM Narendra Modi
According to AICWA’s notice, the cine body alleged that serious safety violations and negligence on the set of
Bhole Baba Paar Karega contributed to the tragic incident. It demanded registration of an FIR and strict legal action against producer Leena Gangopadhyay, production house Magic Moments Motion Pictures, including Saibal Banerjee, and all other persons connected with the production. In May 2026,
Leena Gangopadhyay resigned as Chairperson of the West Bengal State Commission for Women. Her tenure was supposed to end in July. The AICWA’s grievances were forwarded by the Odisha Government to the Superintendent of Police, Balasore, for necessary action and investigation. According to the association, strict action in Rahul’s case is mandatory to ensure that production houses, broadcasters, or any other entity does not resume shooting activities in the future without implementing mandatory safety measures.
As a part of the demands, the AICWA urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the role of producer Leena Gangopadhyay, Magic Moments Motion Pictures, including Saibal Banerjee, and all other persons connected with the production. The Association has specifically demanded that murder charges and all other applicable criminal provisions be invoked against them and those connected with the production, and that strict legal action be taken against them. AICWA has further demanded that Magic Moments Motion Pictures be blacklisted and barred from future productions, so that such tragedies are not repeated.
What happened to Rahul Arunoday Banerjee
On March 29, Rahul was reportedly shooting a dance sequence in knee-deep water with Sweta Mishra when they suddenly slipped into a ditch. As per the production house’s previous statement, the actor was taken to a local clinic near the Talsari beach. Due to the absence of a doctor there, he had to be rushed to Digha State General Hospital, where he was declared dead.
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