The West Bengal Motion Picture Artists’ Forum has elected its new office-bearers, with veteran actor Ranjit Mallick continuing as president and Prosenjit Chatterjee retaining the post of executive president. Actress Basabdatta Chattopadhyay has taken on the treasurer’s responsibility, while Dev and Jeet are not part of the new office-bearing committee.
The annual election of the West Bengal Motion Picture Artists’ Forum has brought a new team of office-bearers to the forefront of the Bengali film industry.
Several established names have retained important positions, while a few actors have taken on organisational responsibilities for the first time.
Veteran actor Ranjit Mallick has been elected president, while Prosenjit Chatterjee continues as executive president.
Actor Shantilal Mukherjee has also taken on an important organisational responsibility as secretary.
One of the notable developments this year is the inclusion of actress Basabdatta Chattopadhyay as treasurer.
Basabdatta Chattopadhyay Takes Charge as Treasurer
For Basabdatta Chattopadhyay, the election marks an important new responsibility within the Artists’ Forum.
The actress has been elected to the post of treasurer, a role that will require her to work closely with other senior members of the organisation.
Speaking about the election, Basabdatta reportedly said that securing the position was not easy and that she had entered the election as a candidate.
She also indicated that she intends to consult senior members of the forum before taking important decisions.
The actress described the counting process as an intense experience, with the counting reportedly continuing into the early hours of Monday.
A New Responsibility for the Actress
Basabdatta’s new position comes with responsibilities beyond her acting career.
As treasurer, she will be involved in organisational and financial matters concerning the forum.
The actress has reportedly made it clear that she does not intend to take major decisions in isolation. Instead, she plans to discuss important matters with experienced artists associated with the organisation.
Her approach suggests that she wants to combine the enthusiasm of a new office-bearer with the experience of senior members.
Mediclaim Scheme for Artists on the Agenda
One of the most significant ideas Basabdatta has spoken about is the possible revival of a mediclaim or health-insurance facility for Tollywood artists.
According to the report, the forum previously had such a facility, but the scheme has remained closed for a considerable period.
Basabdatta reportedly expressed an interest in bringing the initiative back.
If revived, such a programme could provide an important support system for members of the Bengali entertainment industry, particularly artists who may face financial difficulties when dealing with medical emergencies.
However, details about funding, eligibility, coverage and implementation have not yet been announced.
Diganta Bagchi to Assist Basabdatta
Actor Diganta Bagchi will reportedly assist Basabdatta in her new responsibility.
He has been named assistant treasurer in the newly formed organisational structure.
The two will therefore have an important role in handling the financial responsibilities of the Artists’ Forum.
Any future welfare initiatives, including the proposed mediclaim scheme, would require detailed planning and coordination within the organisation.
Debdutt Ghosh Returns to the Forum
Another notable development is the return of actor Debdutt Ghosh to the forum after several years.
He is reportedly taking on an organisational role as a joint secretary.
His return adds another experienced member to the new team and reflects the forum’s continuing involvement of established actors in its administrative activities.
Dev and Jeet Not Part of the New Office-Bearers
Two prominent Tollywood stars, Dev and Jeet, are notably absent from the list of office-bearers this year.
Both actors have been influential figures in the Bengali film industry, but neither has been assigned a position in the new office-bearing team according to the information available in the report.
Their absence is likely to attract attention among industry followers, although it should not automatically be interpreted as a disagreement with the forum or its newly elected leadership.
No such conclusion has been established by the information supplied for this report.
Ranjit Mallick Continues as President
Ranjit Mallick remains at the centre of the Artists’ Forum’s leadership.
The veteran actor’s continuation as president provides stability to the organisation as the newly elected committee begins its term.
Meanwhile, Prosenjit Chatterjee continues as executive president.
The presence of several senior actors in key positions means that the new committee combines experienced leadership with newer members taking on organisational responsibilities.
Prosenjit Chatterjee Retains Executive President’s Role
Prosenjit Chatterjee, one of the most prominent figures in Bengali cinema, has retained his position as executive president.
His continued involvement is expected to provide continuity in the forum’s activities.
The new committee also includes several familiar names from Bengali cinema and television, reflecting the broad representation of artists within the organisation.
Focus on Welfare Could Become a Priority
The proposed revival of a mediclaim facility could become one of the most important welfare discussions during the new committee’s tenure.
Health-related financial support is particularly relevant to an industry where artists and technicians can have very different employment arrangements.
However, bringing back an insurance programme would require more than an initial proposal. The forum would need to determine issues such as funding, insurance providers, eligibility and the scope of medical coverage.
For now, Basabdatta’s comments indicate that the idea is being considered rather than confirming that a new scheme has already been launched.
The New Committee Brings Experience and Fresh Faces
The latest election has brought together veteran actors, established performers and comparatively newer office-bearers.
With Ranjit Mallick continuing as president and Prosenjit Chatterjee retaining his executive position, the leadership retains a strong connection with the industry’s senior generation.
At the same time, Basabdatta Chattopadhyay’s appointment as treasurer and Debdutt Ghosh’s return represent notable developments within the organisation.
The coming months will reveal how the new committee translates its plans into concrete welfare initiatives for artists.
