The heat of the MeToo movement that started in South cinema has reached Bengali cinema. Famous film maker Arindam Sil has been suspended by the Directors Association of Eastern India (DAEI) after an actress accused him of sexual harassment. In a letter sent by DAEI late Saturday night, it has been said that the suspension has come into effect with immediate effect.
The letter sent by DAEI chairman Subrata Sen and secretary Sudeshna Roy said, “Due to certain allegations levelled against you and the prima facie evidence available with us, DAEI has decided to suspend you indefinitely. The allegations levelled against you are a matter of grave concern and are bringing a bad name to our entire organisation.”
Famous filmmaker Arindam Sil, who has made detective films like ‘Har Har Byomkesh’ and ‘Mitin Mashi’, is a well-known name in Tollywood. In his defence, he said that what is being considered as misbehaviour happened unknowingly on his part. He said that the incident being referred to happened recently, when he was explaining a scene to the actress during the shooting of a film.
He claimed, “No one objected to my work or conduct at that time. Everyone working in the film and present at the time of the incident will testify that they have not done anything wrong intentionally. I always explain the scene to my actors and actresses before taking a shot. Even after this incident, that actress shot for four hours.”
Arindam Sil alleged that DAEI suspended him without hearing his side. In fact, DAEI took up the matter after a Bengali film actress filed a complaint with the West Bengal Women’s Commission. DAEI secretary said that he considered the matter after talking to all the parties and prima facie found the complaint to be true.
The victim actress told a media channel that she has full faith in the commission. She said, “I ask him (Arindam Sil) why it is necessary to physically touch someone to explain a shot. We are all professional artists. I will go to the commission whenever required in the future. I will tell everything there.” Let us tell you that the MeToo movement has shaken the film industry at this time.
The victim actress who accused Arindam Sil had told in an interview, “He called me to his office to read the script of the episode. This was a few days before Durga Puja. Surprisingly, when I reached his office at 5 pm, there was no one there. I had a strange feeling. Suddenly he got up from his seat and started caressing my head and back.
The actress further said, “It was only him and me in the office. I was scared that I would be raped now. I was praying that someone would come into the room. After a while I could not tolerate it anymore. I firmly asked him to talk about the script. Perhaps he understood that I am not the kind of woman who would succumb to his temptations. He immediately changed his behavior.”
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)