Rahul Arunoday Banerjee’s Death Puts Film-Set Safety Under the Spotlight

Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee drowned to death at Talsari Beach during a shoot on 29 March 2026. He was only 43. The directors of Bhole Baba Par Karega had completed the major shots, but they still decided to shoot one last scene. 

This was a drone shot in the water. The scene was shot without permission and proper safety measures. This action ended up being Banerjee’s downfall.

What do their practices reveal about them? 

The crew wasn’t officially approved to film at that location. No trained marine rescuers were brought by them. When Banerjee advanced deeper into the sea and was knocked down by a wave, the only people who tried to rescue him were his colleagues and some local lifeguards. Unfortunately, it was too late by the time they transported him to the hospital.

Such incidents are not rare. 

Television production teams in India usually take shortcuts. They avoid safety officers, dodge permits, and forfeit insurance to save money. Shooting of 2024 Kantara saw another similar incident as another person drowned. It’s more than a fluke. It’s a habit.

If your film or TV shoot is taking place near water, the law should be clear: employ an accredited safety officer. Only begin image shooting after receiving the appropriate permits from authorities and on-call rescue professionals. 

These are fundamental requests, not unreasonable. Had the crew followed them, Banerjee would have been alive today.

The experts in the industry know what to do. It is now time for someone to act.