South's #MeToo movement reaches Bengal; filmmaker Arindam Sil suspended by directors' body over sexual harassment allegations: Report

Sil was suspended by the Directors Association of Eastern India (DAEI) after a female actor accused him of sexually harassing her during one of the film shootings.

Arindam Sil, a Bengali filmmaker has been suspended by the Directors Association of Eastern India (DAEI) after a female actor accused him of sexually harassing her during one of the film shootings.

Sil was the first big name in the Bengali film industry, also called Tollywood, against whom action was taken after allegations of sexual harassment shook the entertainment industries of the southern states.

"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, DAEI has decided to suspend you from membership for indefinite period or till the allegations against you are cleared," said the letter sent by DAEI president Subrata Sen and secretary Sudeshna Roy, as per PTI.

The actor who raised the matter said that Sil on the film set allegedly tried to kiss her on the cheek while explaining a shot, as per a report in India Today.

"No one objected to my actions or conduct at that time," he claimed.

The DAEI took up the matter after the actress filed a complaint with the West Bengal Commission for Women.

Sil appeared before the Women's Commission on Friday and apologised for the act. In the letter, the filmmaker wrote, "If the actor has been insulted by my unintended behaviour, I sincerely apologise for it," the report read.

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 just took the decision," he said, referring to the suspension.

Roy said the DAEI took a considered view of the matter after talking to all sides.

Sil is known for his detective films such as Har Har Byomkesh and Mitin Mashi, besides the Shabor series.

Recently, citing the Hema Committee report unravelling the casting couch factor in Malayalam film industry, Bengali actor Ritabhari Chakraborty alleged that many such reports have similarities with her own experiences.

"The Hema Commission report exposing the sexual assaults in the Malayalam film industry has left me thinking why is Bengali film industry not taking similar steps? So many reports that came up are similar to experiences I had or some actress I know did," she wrote in a Facebook post.

"Do we have no responsibility towards the young actresses that come to the business with dreams and are made to believe this is nothing but a sugar-coated brothel," she said.

Tagging the CM, she said, "@mamataofficial we want a similar investigation, report and reform." Without specifying, Ritabhari accused a section of people in the industry of indulging in abusive behaviour and called for unmasking them.

(With PTI inputs)