Bengali filmmaker Arindam Sil facing sexual harassment allegations suspended by directors’ associations

Sil is the first big name in the Bengali film industry, also called Tollywood, against whom action has been taken after allegations of sexual harassment shook the Kerala film industry following the Hema Committee report.

“Due to certain allegations made against you, and prima facie evidence we have with us, which are of deep concern and is maligning to the entire organisation, the DAEI has decided to suspend you from membership for indefinite period or till the allegations against you are cleared,” read the letter signed by DAEI president Subrata Sen and secretary Sudeshna Roy to Sil.

Sil, also a well-known actor, said that what was being construed as misbehaviour was unintentional. He said the incident being referred to happened recently when he was explaining a scene to the actress during the shooting of a film. “No one objected to my actions or conduct at that time,” he claimed.

“Amake bola hoyechhe shot bojhatey giye ami actor ke mishandle korechhi… DoP theke shuru kore floor sobai chhilo (I have been told that I ‘mishandled’ an actress while explaining her the shot… From Director of Photography to everyone was there on the floor). Yesterday at Women Commission, I explained everything. I said for anything unintentional, if my actor felt hurt or harassed, I am sorry from my heart… I have my assistant director and photographer as witnesses. They are now holding the letter against me. My guild didn’t even speak to me,” read a letter sent by Sil following the suspension.

Sil claimed that everyone who worked in the film and was present at the time of the incident would testify that his action was “unintentional”.

“They (DAEI) just took the decision,” Sil said, referring to the suspension.

The DAEI took up the matter after the actress filed a complaint with the West Bengal Commission for Women. It first sought an explanation from Sil, and he wrote a letter “expressing apology”.

DAEI president Subrata Sen said the decision to suspend Sil was taken after receiving the accuser’s complaint from the women commission. “This step has been taken with the consent of all… The day, he (Sil) is proven innocent, he can resume work as before,” Sen said.

DAEI secretary Sudeshna Roy said the association took a considered view of the matter after talking to all sides. “We can’t act on rumours. We have found some evidence lately. He is suspended and we are not responsible for any of his actions,” Roy said.

Meanwhile, actor Swastika Mukhopadhyay posted the DAEI’s suspension letter on Facebook and wrote that the “long wait of 20 years” has ended.

“The cycle of sin is reversed. I thought I might not be able to see it in my life. God, you have kept this word, this is a lot. It took 20 years, let it be. To all the girls in our world. The time has come, to seize the honour. No more fear. Raise your voice, raise your fingers and scream and tear the masks of dirty people, unmask them. Everyone come out. We hold hands and move together. It is our right,” wrote Swastika, who has been actively taking part in the protests over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata.

Over the past few years, several actresses have levelled harassment allegations against Sil, known for his detective films such as ‘Har Har Byomkesh’ and ‘Mitin Mashi’, besides the Shabor series.

Following the suspension, Women Commission chief Leena Gangopadhyay said: “I would like to tell all the women please raise your voice against such acts because only then can you expect justice.”

With PTI Inputs