Actor ‘ban’ or Rahul’s death? Tollywood debates priorities

On Sunday evening, Prosenjit Chatterjee responded to Dev’s 72-hour deadline to lift the ‘ban’ on Anirban Bhattacharya and Riddhi Sen by asserting that

he had never committed to such a timeline. “I don’t think I have taken or given any 72 hours challenge to anyone as I am nobody to do so or have the authority to do so. Only Dev can enlighten us about this 72 hours claim,” he said during a gathering held at a studio in Tollygunge on

Sunday in memory of the late Rahul Arunoday Banerjee.




The situation came to a head after Dev took to social media following an April 7 industry meet held to seek answers regarding Rahul’s death. On social media, the actor gave Prosenjit 72 hours to help lift the unofficial ‘ban’ on Anirban and Riddhi, among others.

‘This isn’t the right time’

On Sunday, Prosenjit firmly denied ever committing to a 72-hour resolution. He clarified that at the April 7 meeting, his only advice was to pause the ban discussion while the industry was still in mourning. “Concerns around ban culture are valid and need to be addressed. We’ve already started work on that, but this isn’t the right time to take up the issue,” he said.

Is it really a ‘ban’?

Actors Anirban Bhattacharya and Riddhi Sen are facing an unofficial ban, or non-cooperation, from Federation members. The dispute stems from a larger disagreement between the Federation and independent filmmakers, who raised concerns about excessive control over shoots, crew selection and production decisions. Anirban was among a group of directors who approached the Calcutta High Court over these issues. Riddhi’s troubles, meanwhile, reportedly began after a social media post in November 2025, following which the Federation demanded an apology. The fallout: technicians have refused to work with both actors, causing shoots to be cancelled or delayed. Legally, the Calcutta High Court had ruled in September that preventing someone from working is illegal and that no one can interfere with an artist’s livelihood.

Dev opposes all bans

At a recent industry meeting, Dev had asserted that several banned artistes could return to work within 72 hours, if Prosenjit Chatterjee would help. He later took the matter to social media. Dev also confirmed that his upcoming directorial debut will feature Anirban Bhattacharya, ban or no ban.

The actor-MP also urged the

Artists’ Forum to weigh the consequences for nearly 600 workers who are being affected by the non-cooperation move against the production house in the wake of Rahul’s death. He argued that going after one or two individuals must not cost hundreds their jobs.

‘Ban on production house an Emotional Stand’

On the separate but related question of the production house linked to Rahul’s death, Prosenjit was equally clear: “The Artists’ Forum’s refusal to work with producers Leena Gangopadhyay and Saibal Banerjee is not an official ban; it is a collective emotional response.”

At Sunday’s meeting, attended by around 900 members, nearly everyone expressed feeling unsafe working with the two individuals and submitted written statements to that effect. Absentees sent emails conveying the same. Only 15-16 technicians indicated they might work with Leena Gangopadhyay’s son. “While some projects by the production house have been affected as they have been taken off air, we are speaking to those involved and also working with other producers to help accommodate affected artistes in other projects wherever possible,” Prosenjit said.


Anirban will remain in my film regardless of opposition– Dev

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