Rahul Arunoday Banerjee Death: 'Bhole Baba Par Karega' makers say actor was rescued alive

The death of Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee has sent shockwaves across the entertainment industry, with new details emerging about the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.

The 43-year-old actor died on March 29 after allegedly drowning during the shoot of television serial Bhole Baba Par Karega at Talsari beach in Odisha’s Baleswar district, near the West Bengal border.

Makers Break Silence, Call for Transparent Inquiry

In an official statement, the production house behind Bhole Baba Par Karega expressed “profound mourning” and announced that a detailed internal inquiry is underway.

The makers also extended an open invitation to a representative from Banerjee’s family, friends, or industry bodies such as the West Bengal Motion Picture Artists’ Forum to observe the process and ensure transparency.

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“We request a few days to gather accounts of the cast and crew… so that we can present a comprehensive and accurate report,” the statement read.

Conflicting Accounts: Was He Rescued Alive?

One of the most crucial aspects of the case is the sequence of events following the incident.

According to the production house, preliminary findings suggest that Banerjee was rescued alive from the sea and was even attempting to communicate. He was first taken to a nearby clinic at Talsari, where no doctor was available, before being shifted to Digha State General Hospital, where he was declared dead.

Production manager Chandrashekhar Chakraborty told media, “The shoot had already wrapped up around 5.30pm. I was releasing the artistes one by one. That’s when I received the call. I immediately rushed to the beach,” as reported by Telegraph.

“After putting him in the car, I got into the front seat. We reached the hospital waving a red cloth. There was traffic congestion after entering the town, which caused delays. On the way, our technicians kept rubbing Rahul’s chest, hoping to save him. He was gasping heavily,” he added.

Eyewitness accounts have echoed similar claims, stating that the actor was alive after being pulled out of the water but died while being transported to the hospital,raising serious concerns about the delay in medical attention.

The makers also pushed back against reports suggesting he remained underwater for an extended period, calling such claims “in all probability incorrect.”

Questions Over Safety Measures

The incident has sparked a wider debate about on-set safety protocols. The West Bengal Motion Picture Artists’ Forum has expressed concern, stressing the need to determine whether proper safety measures were in place during the shoot.

The body added that ensuring artists’ safety on filming locations is paramount and that it expects a thorough and impartial investigation. Meanwhile, some voices within the industry have pointed to inconsistencies in early statements and raised questions about preparedness during the shoot.

Family, Investigation & Industry Reaction

Banerjee is survived by his actor-wife Priyanka Sarkar and their 13-year-old son.

The production house described him as “not only our colleague but also our friend” and said it would cooperate fully with authorities, including sharing footage and documents as part of the investigation.

A post-mortem has been conducted at Tamralipta Medical College and Hospital, while police in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district are investigating the case with support from Odisha authorities.

Director Saibal Banerjee, who was in Mumbai at the time, reportedly rushed back to Kolkata upon hearing the news and visited the actor’s residence the same night.

A Loss That Raises Serious Concerns

As investigations continue, Rahul Arunoday Banerjee’s untimely death has not only left the Bengali entertainment industry in mourning but also triggered urgent questions about safety, accountability, and emergency preparedness on film sets.