Debate rages over Tollywood director’s suspension in Kolkata

KOLKATA: The shooting for a Puja release hangs in balance over a debate on who should direct it. The Directors’ Association of Eastern India (DAEI) has revoked the threemonth suspension imposed on director Rahool Mukherjee. However, the Federation of Cine Technicians Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI) — of which DAEI is a member — maintains that he remains suspended.

DAEI members convened an emergency meeting on Thursday night. DAEI president Sudeshna Roy told media that Mukherjee can work as a creative producer of that film with cinematographer Soumik Halder as the director. On Friday, DAEI revoked its suspension citing that the guild had been “misled” by “misleading information”.

Director Arindam Sil, who is part of DAEI, told TOI: “We are not fighting against the federation. We sought some clarifications from Rahool, which he gave. Iam happy about the solidarity of the directors for a just cause.”

Taking a dig at this decision, producer Rana Sarkar told TOI: “I hope this solidarity of directors remains for all producers and not just those involved with projects of a select few production houses.” FCTWEI president Swarup Biswas said: “We have mailed SVF that FCTWEI accepts the decision to have Soumik Halder as the director and Rahool Mukherjee as the creative producer. Technicians will work in this set-up. No one from the federation works with a suspended member.” On being asked if FCTWEI looks at the DAEI’s revised stance as insubordination, he added: “In a disciplined set-up, if a guild can't function keeping in mind the norms, it is up to the president and the secretary to answer that. If DAEI has other views, we can discuss that.”