Rs 10mn compensation, ban on producers demanded over Indian actor Rahul Banerjee’s death

Had proper safety protocols been implemented, this unfortunate loss of life could have been prevented, AICWA says

A union of Indian cinema workers has demanded the filing of an FIR over murder charges, 10 million rupees in compensation and the “blacklisting” of producers for their alleged negligence in the drowning of popular West Bengal actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, reports Outlook India.

The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) raised the demands on their X handle on Monday, a day after the death during a TV shoot at Talasari Beach near Digha in the Indian state of Odisha.

Rahul, 43, was on the sea-based set of the Bengali TV serial “Bhole Baba Par Karega”. After remaining submerged in the water for a long period, he was rescued and rushed to a local hospital where he breathed his last, leading to an unnatural death case.

His postmortem report says a large amount of sand and water had accumulated in his lungs, causing swelling and doubling their normal size.

The union in the social media post said: “AICWA strongly raises serious concerns over the gross negligence of safety protocols on set.

“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,” it added.

According to the AICWA, had proper safety protocols been implemented, this unfortunate loss of life could have been prevented.

Filmmakers, production houses, and channel entities often compromise on safety measures to cut costs, and put the lives of workers and artists at risk and every year several incidents occur in the industry where technicians, workers, and artists lose their lives due to unsafe working conditions, the union alleged.

Addressing the chief ministers of West Bengal and Odisha, it demanded that a high-level and time-bound judicial inquiry be launched over the incident.

It emphasised registering an FIR under charges of murder against the producers, production house, and the channel associated with the TV series.

The platform suggested that the compensation, meant for the actor’s family, be realised from the entities linked to the series.

Other than their “blacklisting”, a complete ban was also sought on their future operations until they ensure proper safety compliance.