Bengali filmmaker Arindam Sil has been suspended by the Directors Guild of Eastern India (DAEI) following a complaint sexual misconduct by an actress. Sil was the first big name in the Bengali film industry, also called Tollywood, to be acted upon after allegations of sexual harassment rocked the entertainment industries of southern states. The suspension came into effect with immediate effect, according to a letter sent by DAEI late on Saturday.
“In view of certain allegations made against you, and prima facie evidence with us, which are of deep concern and defame the entire organisation, DAEI has decided to suspend you as a member for an indefinite period or until the allegations against you are resolved,” said the letter sent by DAEI President Subrata Sen and Secretary Sudeshna Roy.
Arindam Sil: Nobody objected to my actions
Sil, who is also a well-known actor, told reporters that what was being interpreted as misconduct was not intentional. He said the incident referred to occurred recently when he was explaining a scene to the actress during the filming of a movie. “No one objected to my actions or conduct at the time,” he claimed.
The DAEI took up the matter after the actress filed a complaint with the West Bengal Commission for Women. In a letter to the commission, seeking its response to the allegation, Sil expressed her apologies.
Sil also told reporters that everyone who worked on the film and was present at the time of the incident would testify that their action was “involuntary.” He said that before he could present his case to the DAEI, it suspended him.
“I always explain the scenes to my actors and actresses before shooting a scene. After the incident in question, the actress in question voluntarily participated in the shoot for four more hours,” he explained.
`Why do you have to be a physicist to explain a shooting?`
The DAEI secretary said they had considered the matter after speaking to all parties and prima facie found merit in the complaint. The actress told NEWS18 Bangla that she had full confidence in the commission. “Let me ask you why one has to be physical to explain a shot. We are all professional actors. The rest I will say before the commission when necessary in the future,” she said.
Sil is known for his detective films like ‘Har Har Byomkesh’ and ‘Mitin Mashi’, as well as the Shabor series.
Sil faced #MeToo accusations in 2020
Arindam also faced #METoo allegations in 2020, when the popular television actress Rupanjana Mitra She had reportedly levelled shocking allegations of sexual misconduct against him. In an interview with Anandabazar digital, the actress revealed how the filmmaker behaved inappropriately with her after calling her to his Kolkata office for the script reading of a popular daily soap, ‘Bhumikanya’.
(With PTI inputs)
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