Filmmaker Arnab Chatterjee’s international medals from USA go missing in transit

Arnab Chatterjee, the18-year-old filmmaker, whose 71-minute-long film, Unsaid, won 31 awards at international film festivals across New York, Los Angeles, Texas, London, Chile, Venezuela, as well as India, was displeased by a recent experience, which he dubbed as “shameful and disgraceful”.On Saturday, the young filmmaker received a package from the United States of America, which were to contain his awards – two medals — a silver and a bronze — won at the Global Independent Film Awards, Los Angeles. However, things were not as smooth as they should have been. The package which was delivered to Arnab’s residence, was torn, and the medals were ripped off from their straps. What remained in the mutilated package, were the ribbon straps of the two medals, and a letter from the festival organizers, congratulating Arnab on his multiple wins. We spoke to Arnab and he said, “I am ashamed of what I have experienced. Earlier, I had received a wooden box from Chile, containing another award, but that too, had the lid of the box removed, and the statuette stuffed inside forcibly. The Customs have no right to discredit international awards in this fashion. Medals are easier to steal because of their sizes as compared to a statuette. Hence, my medals were stolen. I am disgusted by this act, which looks like a joint-effort between the India Post and the Customs officials. I have lodged a complaint at the Lalbazar Police headquarters, and shall move court when required.”— Urvika Barua