A statement made by former cricketer Sourav Ganguly regarding the death of Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee has sparked controversy. Rahul reportedly died due to drowning while shooting in the water in Odisha; in response to this incident, Sourav questioned why the actor had entered the water in the first place.
Actress Swastika Mukherjee has issued a sharp retort to this remark. Swastika stated that, as a public figure, Sourav Ganguly ought to be mindful of his words.
What Did Sourav Ganguly Say?
A few days ago, when asked about Rahul’s death, Sourav Ganguly described it as “very unfortunate.” However, he went on to add, “I fail to understand why he entered the water, even if it was for a shoot.” This very question—the “why”—posed by Sourav has ignited a heated debate on social media.
Actress Responds: “You Are Unaware of the Ground Realities”
Responding to Sourav in an interview, Swastika Mukherjee remarked that Sourav Ganguly shoots his non-fiction show on air-conditioned floors. He has access to everything he requires simply because he is Sourav Ganguly.
He has no idea how actual filming takes place on the ground level. Swastika further argued that had Rahul refused to enter the water, the filmmakers would have simply replaced him with someone else. Not everyone can truly grasp the professional compulsions and inherent risks involved in such work.
Taking Risks Out of Necessity
Questioning the tone of Sourav’s remarks, Swastika asserted that making such comments about another person’s work amounts to an attempt to belittle their profession. She pointed out that not everyone is a “Sourav Ganguly” who enjoys access to every conceivable amenity.
For an ordinary actor, their work serves as their sole means of livelihood. If they were to refuse a task, their career could be jeopardized. Raising such questions in the wake of someone’s death is an act of insensitivity. How Did Rahul Banerjee Die?
This tragic accident occurred on March 29 in Odisha. Rahul was there shooting for his Bengali show, ‘Bholebaba Paar Karega.’ According to reports, during a particular scene, Rahul and his co-actress, Shweta Mishra, were standing in knee-deep water.
Suddenly, Rahul slipped and fell into a nearby deep pit. Both were immediately rushed to a hospital in Digha, where doctors pronounced Rahul dead. Shweta survived the ordeal, but Rahul could not be saved.
Strike in the Bengali Film Industry
Rahul’s death has exposed the glaring inadequacies in safety protocols on film sets. In protest against this incident—and to demand stricter safety regulations—the Bengali film and television industry launched an indefinite strike starting April 7.
Actors and technicians have stated that work will remain suspended until stringent safety standards are established and implemented on sets.
