#BengalCinema: Artist’s forum bids adieu to the federation. Here’s why

The tension simmering between the Federation of Cine Technicians & Workers of Eastern India and West Bengal Motion Picture Artist’s Forum came to a head today, with the forum declaring that it’s reverting to its autonomous status. The forum declared through a Facebook post late this evening that it will no longer be affiliated to the federation and will function as an autonomous body representing the interests of artistes.

The post, that ended saying that the forum is informing all its members through Facebook because the situation arising out the COVID-19 pandemic, had working president Shankar Chakraborty and joint secretary Shantilal Mukherjee as signatories. It may be mentioned here that the forum was formed as an autonomous body but went on to get affiliated to the federation in 2011.
Speaking about the decision, which was taken by the executive committee and seconded by president Soumitra Chatterjee and senior members like Prosenjit Chatterjee, Shantilal Mukherjee said it was the result of several “technical difficulties” the forum had faced while coordinating with the federation. Citing one of the problems, he said, “Usually, the second Sunday of every month is a holiday for actors and actresses. But there were occasion when the producers went to the federation seeking permission to shoot on those days. And the federation granted permission without consulting us. The problem arose when our members called us for help and we were in the dark about the permissions.”
Shantilal went on to add that the forum has been an autonomous body ever since its inception. “We’ll continue to be so. Our sole objective is to safeguard the interests of our members,” he said.