Days after RG Kar protests, Tollywood faces TMC's attack over silence on 'communal film' The Diary of West Bengal
Kolkata/IBNS: Days after the Bengali filmdom took to streets demanding justice for the RG Kar rape-murder victim, the Trinamool Congress has lashed out at the celebrities for not reacting against the release of a film like The Diary of West Bengal, which it feels was made to damage the reputation of the ruling party.
In an X post, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said, "'They' have made film on WB only to defame us. What is Tolly industry doing, specially those producers, directors, actors, who r active in @AITCofficial, holding posts, enjoying shadow of power, sharing stages with Didi, AB; what r they doing to counter this type of narratives?"
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab
His post comes a day after the Calcutta High Court allowed the release of the film, which has been directed by Sanoj Mishra.
Ghosh lashed out at the celebrities amid their demand for the justice of a 31-year-old trainee doctor, who was raped and murdered at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The crime, which is now being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation, has brought the state administration under scanner over its handling of the case and an alleged cover-up.
Tollywood protests against RG Kar rape-murder earlier this month | Photo courtesy: Avishek Mitra/IBNS
The Tollywood celebrities coming out on streets has remained unprecedented during the TMC regime, which was marred by countless controversies and corruption charges in various sectors, including education and healthcare.
Several celebrities including the A-listers were seen in the past hobnobbing with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Trinamool Congress, several ruling party ministers and even taking the centre stage at the Chief Minister's political rallies.
Many of them, who also happen to be MPs and MLAs of the ruling party, have received various awards which are often shortlisted by Banerjee herself.
Tollywood personalities at Mamata Banerjee's Martyrs' Day rally in 2018 | Photo courtesy: IBNS File
The High Court on Thursday set aside the petition which claimed Mishra's film has contents that are communal.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya refused to put a stay on the film, which hit the theatres on Friday (August 30). The film is based on the 1971 Bangladesh genocide.
"Courts have repeatedly held that if you want to watch the movie, watch it. If you don’t, then don’t. We are in a democratic setup. Any healthy criticism is welcome. Those who are aggrieved, let them approach us. West Bengal is a tolerant society," the Chief Justice said in its order as quoted by Hindustan Times.
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