Bengali actor Ritabhari Chakraborty has called for a formal investigation into workplace conditions in the Bengali film industry, saying accounts emerging from the Justice Hema Committee report have similarities with experiences she and other actresses have encountered. She has urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to consider a similar investigation, report and reform process for the state’s film industry.
The publication of the Justice Hema Committee report in Kerala has sparked a wider conversation about women’s safety, workplace harassment and power structures within India’s entertainment industry.
Joining that conversation, Bengali actor Ritabhari Chakraborty has urged authorities to examine whether similar concerns exist within the Bengali film industry.
In a lengthy Facebook post, Chakraborty referred to the findings and testimonies associated with the Hema Committee and questioned why the Bengali film industry should not undertake a comparable exercise.
She said that several reports emerging from Kerala reminded her of experiences she had personally encountered or heard about from actresses known to her.
Ritabhari Chakraborty Appeals to Mamata Banerjee
Chakraborty directly tagged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her post and called for an investigation into the Bengali entertainment industry.
The actor’s appeal was not directed at a named individual. Instead, she raised broader concerns about alleged abusive behaviour and the influence wielded by certain people within the industry.
She also called on women working in Bengali cinema to speak up about inappropriate conduct and not remain silent because of concerns about their careers.
According to Chakraborty, aspiring actresses can find themselves particularly vulnerable because casting and employment opportunities may depend on people with considerable professional influence.
She urged fellow actresses to collectively challenge behaviour they believe is abusive or exploitative.
‘We Want Similar Investigation, Report and Reform’
The central demand in Chakraborty’s statement was for a process comparable to the one undertaken in Kerala.
Addressing the West Bengal Chief Minister, she called for an investigation, a report and subsequent reforms in the Bengali film industry.
Her comments came amid heightened public attention on the issue of workplace safety for women in Indian cinema.
Chakraborty also argued that preventive action should not have to wait until another serious incident is reported. She stressed that working in show business should not make women vulnerable to being treated as commodities or targets because of an individual’s position or influence.
Actor Calls on Fellow Actresses to Speak Out
Chakraborty also appealed directly to women in the industry who may have experienced inappropriate behaviour.
She acknowledged that speaking publicly can be difficult when the person accused is professionally influential. According to her, actresses may fear losing roles or future opportunities if they challenge powerful figures.
The actor nevertheless asked women to come forward and collectively confront what they consider unacceptable conduct.
Her remarks have added a Bengali-industry perspective to a debate that has expanded nationally following the Hema Committee report.
What Is the Justice Hema Committee?
The Justice Hema Committee was established in Kerala to examine the working conditions of women in the Malayalam film industry.
Its report brought renewed attention to allegations and accounts involving sexual harassment, discrimination, exploitation, unequal working conditions and the influence of powerful groups within sections of the industry.
The report also triggered a broader discussion about the need for effective grievance mechanisms and stronger safeguards for women working in cinema.
The issues raised by the report have subsequently prompted conversations about whether other regional film industries should examine their own workplace practices.
Sreelekha Mitra Had Earlier Raised Concerns
The debate also involves Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra, who recently made allegations concerning Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith.
Mitra alleged that the filmmaker had made inappropriate advances towards her. Ranjith has denied the allegations.
The controversy subsequently led to Ranjith stepping down as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy.
Mitra has also spoken about the broader issue of sexual misconduct allegations in the Bengali film industry. In comments to PTI, she said that she was aware of allegations concerning some directors in Bengal, while clarifying that she had not personally experienced such conduct in the Tollygunge film industry.
She encouraged women who have faced inappropriate situations to speak up rather than remain silent because of the influence or power of the person involved.
Ritabhari Chakraborty’s Film Career
Ritabhari Chakraborty is a prominent name in Bengali cinema and television.
She has appeared in several Bengali films, including Chotushkone (2014), Once Upon a Time in Kolkata (2014), Bawal (2015) and Fatafati (2022).
Her decision to publicly raise concerns about workplace safety has brought additional attention to the question of whether the Bengali film industry needs a structured examination of its working environment.
Why the Demand for an Investigation Matters
An industry-wide inquiry could potentially examine workplace practices across different levels of film production, including the experiences of established actors, newcomers, junior artists and other women working behind and in front of the camera.
A credible process could examine areas such as:
- Workplace safety on film sets
- Mechanisms for reporting sexual harassment
- Implementation of India’s workplace sexual-harassment safeguards
- Protection against retaliation after complaints
- Conditions faced by newcomers and junior artists
- Accessibility of grievance-redressal mechanisms
- Responsibilities of producers and production companies
- Awareness of legal protections among entertainment professionals
Such a process would also need to maintain confidentiality where appropriate and protect the rights of everyone involved. Allegations against individuals should be investigated through appropriate legal and institutional mechanisms rather than treated as established facts solely because they have been publicly reported.
The Hema Committee Debate Moves Beyond Kerala
The significance of the Hema Committee discussion extends beyond the Malayalam film industry.
Regional cinema industries across India operate through different professional structures, associations and production systems. The debate has therefore raised a broader question about whether women in every part of the entertainment sector have adequate mechanisms to report harassment and seek protection.
Chakraborty’s intervention has placed that question directly before the Bengali film industry and the West Bengal government.
Whether her demand results in a formal inquiry remains to be seen. However, her appeal has added momentum to calls for greater transparency, workplace safety and accountability in Bengali cinema.
A Call for Preventive Action
At the heart of Chakraborty’s message is a demand that concerns about women’s safety be addressed before another serious incident forces the industry to respond.
The Hema Committee process has demonstrated the value of allowing women professionals to describe their experiences and examine systemic workplace concerns.
For the Bengali film industry, the next step could be a serious discussion involving performers, technicians, producers, industry organisations and policymakers about how existing safeguards work in practice—and what reforms may still be required.
