From returning government awards to performing protest rap – take a look at the Tollywood Celebs who took a strong stand demanding ‘Justice for RG Kar’

​The demand for justice and protest over RG Kar rape-murder incident is intensifying by each day. Bengal is refusing to rest until justice is served. People from all platforms have joined forces with the doctors, demanding justice for the RG Kar rape-murder victim and her family. Several artists from the Bengali entertainment industry have come out on the street raising their voice for the same cause. Take a look at them.

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​A few days ago, actor-politician and an MLA of Trinamool Congress Kanchan Mallick urged the protestors to return the award they had been bestowed by the government. Veteran playwright Chandan Sen felt insulted by his statement and announced to return the ‘Dinabandhu Mitra Puroshkar’, the highest honour in the field of theatre given by the state government in 2017. The veteran thespian revealed that his father had been a doctor in the government hospital for almost 40 years and that he shared the pain and plight of the doctors.

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​After Chandan Sen, actor-director from the Bengali entertainment industry Biplab Banerjee, who was awarded the ‘Natya Academy Award’ this year as the best director, declared to return the same. Biplab mentioned that Kanchan Mullick’s comment deeply hurt him and informed that he would be returning the prize money of rupees 30,000/-, as well as the award. Biplab said, “The government demanded unquestioning loyalty in return for this award, and I reject the demand of loyalty with disgust.”

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​National Award winning Bengali actress Sudipta Chakraborty made her decision to return her ‘Special Film Award’, saying, “I did not compromise. I will not compromise. I thought the government award was given for my merit. Yesterday night, when the honorable MLA demanded to return the prize if he took to the streets, I took the decision.” The popular actress, thespian and coach of Tollywood announced her decision on social media and wrote, “I'll keep standing on the road.. Demanding Justice.. Legal and Social....both.”

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​Actor-thespian Supriyo Dutta decided to return the Natya Academy Award bestowed upon him by the West Bengal state government. Supriyo wrote, “In January 24, 2021, I was awarded West Bengal Natya Academy Award for Outstanding Character Actor (Full Length Drama Category) at Shishir Mancha. In the wake of the present situation surrounding the incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the role of the ruler has shocked me. Every step taken by the government and its police has proven how desperate they are to hide the truth.” He added, “I understood from the words of my friend and currently the representative of the government, Kanchan Mullick, that the authority actually buys loyalty in exchange for rewards and honours. In this situation, I chose the path of truth.”

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​Debapratim Dasgupta, who is a well-known actor and screenwriter in the Bengali entertainment industry, announced on social media that he would be returning his ‘Tele Academy Award’ that was bestowed upon him by the state government in 2018. He wrote, “In 2018, I got the best screenwriter award from the West Bengal Tele Academy. That night, Kanchan called me and asked me how could I bow my head in front of that woman (Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister, West Bengal) and take the award? I don’t have evidence, because I never thought one would ever need evidence on friends.” He added, “I could have declared my decision that day; but believe me, I don't have one lakh rupees to me right now. However, I am saying today, I will borrow the money if necessary. But I will return the honour(!).”

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​Saurav Das, a popular face of the Bengali entertainment industry, resorted to convey his dissent through a protest rap. Penned by Soumit Deb, Saurav’s rap song ‘Dokhol’ hollers men to check their actions as well as words, and urges them to introspect. Saurav angrily spits out a verse where he says that men have been taught to be a father, a brother, a husband, a boyfriend – but never a fellow human being, a fellow and responsible citizen. Saurav then goes on to urge the women to reclaim the days, the nights and the streets. The verse that opens with ‘Halla Bol’, has already caught the attention of the audience.

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