Actor Swastika Mukherjee, known for her work in Bengali cinema and appearances in Bollywood projects such as “Paatal Lok” and “Qala,” has expressed her thoughts on comments made by former cricketer Sourav Ganguly regarding the death of actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee. Rahul tragically died on March 29 in Odisha after a drowning incident during the shooting of the Bengali soap opera “Bholebaba Paar Karega.” Ganguly questioned why Rahul had to approach the water in the first place.
In an interview with Sharmila Maiti, Swastika challenged Sourav’s remarks, emphasizing that public figures should be mindful of their words. She drew an analogy to illustrate her point, stating that just as one might question the relevance of a YouTube channel to someone trying to earn a living, Sourav’s comments undermined the professional efforts of others. She highlighted the importance of respecting every individual’s work, regardless of their status or popularity.
Swastika further elaborated on the responsibilities that come with being a public figure, suggesting that individuals like Sourav, who have a non-fiction show and operate in a well-supported environment, may not grasp the challenges faced by others in differing roles. She articulated that if Rahul had not entered the water, another person would have stepped into his place, pointing out the disparities in treatment experienced by various professionals in the industry.
Sourav Ganguly, addressing the incident a few days prior, labeled it as unfortunate but continued to express confusion over why Rahul chose to enter the water during filming. His remarks were met with backlash on social media, with many criticizing him for his insensitivity.
The circumstances surrounding Rahul’s death indicate he was filming a dance sequence with co-actor Sweta Mishra when they accidentally slipped into a deeper area of water. Despite being rushed to Digha Hospital, Rahul could not be saved. Following this incident, the Bengali entertainment industry, commonly referred to as Tollywood, has called for an indefinite strike beginning April 7, demanding improved safety and security protocols on sets for films, television shows, and web series.