Bengali TV actor slaps #metoo charges on filmmaker Arindam Sil

Television actor Rupanjana Mitra has recently brought allegations against the Bengali director Arindam Sil over sexual misconduct. She alleged that in the name of script reading sessions the director inappropriately behaved with her.

Mumbai: After Hollywood and Bollywood, the #metoo waves has now entered the Bengali film industry. Popular television actor Rupanjana Mitra has reportedly brought shocking allegations of sexual misconduct against renowned Bengali filmmaker Arindam Sil.

In an interview with one of the leading news portal, the actress has revealed how the filmmaker behaved inappropriately with her after calling her in his Kolkata office for the reading of the script for a popular daily soap Bhumikanya.

The actress told: "He had called me in his office to read out the script of the first episode of Bhumikanya. It was a few days before Durga puja. Surprisingly there was nobody in his office when I reached there at 5 pm. I had an uncanny feeling. Suddenly he got up from his seat and started moving his hand over my head and back. It was only him and me in his office. I was feeling scared that I would probably get raped now and desperately praying for someone to enter the room."

"After a while, I could not take it anymore and firmly asked him to speak to me about the script. He perhaps understood that I was not that kind of woman who would give in to his tricks. He suddenly entered the director mode and started explaining the script to me and within five minutes his wife entered the office," she stated.

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Rupanjana has shared that she broke down after coming out of his office. The report further says the actor did not open up about the incident earlier because she was contract-bound with the channel in question and had to keep in mind not to tarnish its reputation.

Arindam Sil has denied the allegations. The filmmaker told the portal: "This is probably a political stunt. I don't know why she is saying all this. We are old friends. The day she is referring to, she texted me after leaving my office saying ‘I am so excited'. I still have the text with me and can show it. Why would she text someone who has behaved inappropriately with her? She is lying."

Rupanjana Mitra is a popular face in Bengali television and has appeared in daily soaps like Sindoor Khela, Soti, Khela and Ek Akasher Niche among others.

Actor-director Arindam Sil is known for helming movies like Har Har Byomkesh, Eagoler Chokh, Durga Sohay and his latest Mitin Mashi.

From IANS inputs.