Actor Ambarish Bhattacharya Resigns from Production House Following Co-Star's Tragic Death
KOLKATA: In a dramatic development within the Bengali television industry, actor Ambarish Bhattacharya has officially severed ties with the production company Magic Moments. This decisive action comes in the wake of the tragic death of his co-star, Rahul Banerjee, with whom Bhattacharya shared a close working relationship during the filming of a mega-serial.
Trauma and Resignation
Bhattacharya, who portrayed Rahul Banerjee's father in the serial, expressed profound emotional distress over the incident. "I am still traumatised," he revealed. "We shared the same room for two months while shooting in Talsari. We spent most days together—eating, singing, and reading. I was shooting with him until 3 PM, and then I heard he was gone. I couldn't bring myself to see his body; it would have made me sick."
The actor has formally resigned from all projects associated with Magic Moments, the production house led by Leena Gangopadhyay and Saibal Banerjee. He confirmed that he contacted the company the day after returning to Kolkata to inform them of his decision. Additionally, Bhattacharya has stepped down from another serial, 'Chirosokha', produced by the same company.
Criticism of Production House Response
Bhattacharya voiced strong dissatisfaction with the production house's handling of the situation post-incident. "I didn't like the conflicting statements I heard from them after Rahul's death," he stated. "Everyone knows this was an accident, but since the serial was under their production, they should have been more responsible and sensitive in their communications."
He specifically addressed Leena Gangopadhyay, noting her close relationship with Rahul Banerjee. "He would show her every article he wrote, and she would do the same. There was a cultural connection too. I expected empathy from her in her statements about his death. I do not know why that was missing," Bhattacharya lamented. While he acknowledged that Gangopadhyay does not deserve the current criticism, he emphasized that "a serious mistake has been made," and the situation could have been mitigated with different actions from the outset.
Industry-Wide Safety Concerns
The actor highlighted broader safety issues within the television industry, pointing out negligent practices. "In our industry, eau de cologne is given instead of Dettol. Technicians risk their lives while shooting," he explained. Bhattacharya clarified that his own scenes in Talsari did not involve the sea, and he would have refused any risky shots, citing his practical approach compared to more emotional artists who might take risks to improve a scene.
He expressed support for the strike called from Tuesday, emphasizing the urgent need for a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) across all production houses. "The need for an SOP shows there is negligence across the industry. I am very scared and not at peace now. I will not do any mega-serials unless the SOP is drawn up," he asserted.
Final Decision and Future Stance
Despite the potential for industry reforms, Bhattacharya made it clear that his resignation from Magic Moments is permanent. "It is certain that I will never work with this production house again," he declared, underscoring his unwavering stance in light of the traumatic events and the production house's response.
This incident has sparked a significant conversation about safety protocols and accountability in the entertainment sector, with Bhattacharya's actions highlighting the emotional and professional repercussions of such tragedies.
