Rupa Ganguly alleges vilification of artists who spoke on RG Kar case
The Statesman | 25 November 2025
Actress, former Rajya Sabha MP and member of the BJP’s national executive committee, Rupa Ganguly on Monday alleged that several artistes and technicians who had spoken out against the rape and murder of a PGT trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College were now being systematically denied work in the Bengali film and television industry.
Addressing a Press conference at the BJP’s Salt Lake office, Ms Ganguly said professionals across political lines had protested the RG Kar incident, but many later faced repercussions. “People from diverse political ideologies had raised their voices. Subsequently, several of them were made to suffer, and some were even forced to apologise,” she said. According to her, directors who finalise shooting schedules are being abandoned midway by technicians who cite pressure not to work with certain filmmakers. “An artiste can have political opinions. But at work, he or she should not be treated like a political worker,” she argued. She accused the federation of shaping a restrictive environment that, she claimed, has led to a fall in the number of serials and film productions. New directors, she added, are struggling to make documentaries or low-budget films due to mandatory requirements on crew strength.
“Why must a director be forced to hire a fixed number of technicians? In whose interest are these rules being imposed?” she asked. Ms Ganguly also questioned why artistes who skipped events attended by the Chief Minister later found their professional opportunities shrinking. “If someone chooses not to attend a programme where the Chief Minister is present, why should that affect their livelihood?” she said. While acknowledging that technicians’ remuneration has increased in recent years, she lamented that several major production houses have stopped working in Bengal.
She further noted that in recent months, many technicians—and even directors and actors—have been compelled to approach courts to resolve disputes. “This constant friction is damaging the industry and the overall work environment,” she said.