A hairstylist attempted suicide on Saturday after allegedly being deprived of work in the Bengali film industry. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for action against the alleged harassment and intimidation she faced from the hairdressers’ guild.
The victim was admitted to a local hospital after her daughter saved her. Prominent figures from the Bengali film industry, including actors Sudipta Chakraborty, Chaiti Ghoshal, Manali Dey, and Parambrata Chattopadhyay, rushed to the hospital to express their support and solidarity with Das.
A complaint was filed against 11 guild officials at Haridebpur police station for allegedly instigating Das’s suicide attempt.
The hairdresser reportedly had not received any work based on the guild’s instructions for three months, leading to significant financial difficulties as she tried to support her family. In a purported suicide note, she described the alleged ongoing harassment and the loss of work opportunities due to pressure from the guild.
“I was denied one job after another,” the hairdresser wrote. “I was set to work for Moinak Bhowmik’s upcoming film but the production manager informed me that the guild had instructed them not to give me the assignment,” she wrote.
Hema Munshi, a hairdresser artist, expressed her anger over the incident and emphasised the need for fair treatment for all members. “I have raised this issue multiple times, demanding that everyone be allowed to work,” she said. I couldn’t believe that such an incident would still happen.”
Actor Sudipta Chakraborty, who has been vocal about the issue, took to social media to express her anger and frustration. “I cannot accept this injustice,” she wrote.
“I will see the end of it.” Chakraborty also shared details of Das’s ordeal, highlighting the mental torture she faced due to the guild’s actions.
Another actor Swastika Mukhopadhyay wrote, “There will be no exception. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated in the workplace. It is time to abolish the Zamindari system from the film industry. Our film industry hairdresser who poured kerosene on himself…. Shame on you, federation, this is how you destroy lives.”
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