In an unfortunate turn of events, Bengali filmmaker Kamaleshwar Mukhopadhyay was detained by Kolkata Police while staging a protest near the Rashbehari crossing. Yes, you read that right! Kamaleshwar along with a few CPI (M) workers were first taken to Lalbazar and later they were released in the evening. As per media reports, it all started after an alleged attack on a Left party bookstall. This incident has irked not just netizens but also the Tollywood film industry as they came out in support of Kamaleshwar.
Many fans and celebrities voiced their support for the director on social media. Filmmaker Srijit Mukherji condemned Kolkata Police for detaining Mukhopadhyay. He tweeted, “Afraid of books???? Books??? Don't have enough words of condemnation for the arrest of Dr. Kamaleswar Mukherjee. With you, Kamalda, for whatever it is worth.” Actor Abir Chatterjee also backed the director and stated in his tweet that they are proud of him.
Afraid of books???? Books??? Don't have enough words of condemnation for the arrest of Dr Kamaleswar Mukherjee. With you, Kamalda, for whatever it is worth.
— Srijit Mukherji (@srijitspeaketh) October 3, 2022
Actor Ridhhi Sen tweeted, “Has this government gone insane? The arrest of Kamaleswar Mukherjee is SHAMEFUL. For what? For a bookstall? For supporting a protest against the plunder of a ‘bookstall ‘? This is shameful. Strongly condemn this immensely meaningless and obnoxious act of flexing muscle power. With you Kamleshwar Mukherjee, we all need an answer for this.”
According to a report in Times Of India, Rajya Sabha MP Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya claimed that they all gathered at Rashbehari crossing to stage a protest against the attack on a bookstall and the alleged closing of it by TMC supporters. He also claimed that during the protest they were attacked by some people owing allegiance to the ruling Trinamool Congress. After he got released, Bikash revealed that the police detained them saying they can’t hold a protest on the busy crossing due to the Durga Puja crowd.
For the unversed, Kamaleshwar has given the industry many critically acclaimed movies like 'Meghe Dhaka Tara' and 'Mukhomukhi' among others. His last directorial was a short film 'The Hunger Artist' which garnered love from the audience and critics alike.