Kolkata witnessed a fresh legal tussle between actor and former Trinamool Congress MLA Soham Chakraborty and producer Tarun Das after both filed cross complaints over a dispute stemming from a film signing amount in 2018. The controversy escalated when Chakraborty lodged a complaint with the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) on Wednesday, accusing Das of issuing death threats. In response, Das filed a counter First Information Report (FIR) against Chakraborty in Balurghat on Friday.
Chakraborty's Allegations
Soham Chakraborty, who has acted in several Bengali films and served as a TMC MLA, stated that he had attempted to resolve the matter amicably. He offered to adjust the advance payment from 2018 against a new project, maintaining the same remuneration as initially agreed. However, Das refused the proposal and allegedly threatened him with death. This prompted Chakraborty to approach the authorities. “I offered to adjust the advance against a new project with the same remuneration as in 2018 and adjust the signing amount too. But he refused and gave me death threats. I lodged the complaint to Jt. CP Crime on Wednesday,” Chakraborty said.
Das's Counter Complaint
On Friday, Tarun Das filed an FIR against Chakraborty, leading the police to register a case under sections 318(2) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertain to criminal breach of trust and intimidation. Das provided a detailed account of the events, claiming that on August 10, 2018, he paid Chakraborty Rs 15 lakh as an advance for a film project. Despite repeated attempts by his manager over the years to secure shooting dates, Chakraborty allegedly evaded commitments. Das said, “On August 10, 2018, I had paid him Rs 15 lakh to do a film. My manager approached him a dozen times in all these years but he did not give any dates for shooting. I have produced Arjunn Dutta’s ‘Abyakto’ and I had the wherewithal to produce another film. But he kept dillydallying and didn’t give me the dates. Now, when I am financially not well off, I want my Rs 15 lakh back. But he did not return even a rupee. Instead, he harassed me. That is why I lodged a complaint against him because he called me to his office but didn’t return any money and even threatened me.”
Legal Proceedings Underway
The police have initiated an investigation into both complaints. The case filed by Das under BNS sections 318(2) and 351(2) indicates serious allegations of criminal breach of trust and criminal intimidation. Meanwhile, Chakraborty’s earlier complaint also involves accusations of threats, which authorities are examining. The dispute highlights the complexities of advance payments in the film industry, where verbal agreements and delayed projects often lead to conflicts.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict dates back to 2018 when Das paid Chakraborty Rs 15 lakh to star in a film. However, the project never materialized, and Chakraborty reportedly did not return the advance. Over the years, Das claims his manager made numerous attempts to contact Chakraborty, but the actor failed to provide dates for shooting. Das, who produced the film ‘Abyakto’ directed by Arjunn Dutta, asserted that he had the financial capacity to produce another film at the time but was left stranded. Now facing financial difficulties, Das demanded the return of his money, which he says was not honored. Instead, he alleges that Chakraborty harassed him and issued threats when he sought repayment.
Both parties have presented their versions to the police, and further legal proceedings are expected. The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of contractual disputes in the entertainment industry, where informal agreements often lead to legal battles.
