Shibpur controversy: Production house alleges the director of mishandling funds and rights of the film

Arindam Bhattacharya’s film, Shibpur’s trailer was released on Tuesday. At the trailer launch event, Journalists and actors were invited. But the director was not on the guest list. Arindam later told several media that he was not invited. 

On June 16, the film's producer Ajanta Sinha Roy shared her version with the Kolkata media through a long press release. She said Arindam created many problems while making the film, and the producers tolerated this for the sake of the film. However, the production company and its officials had to step in after the director exceeded the budget considerably and started taking decisions without the approval of the house. The film will hit the theatre on June 30. 

The film’s male protagonist, Parambrata Chatterjee, was present at the trailer launch. Meanwhile, EIMPA president Piya Sengupta, ex-CP Soumen Mitra, lawyer Santamoy Ghosh, and actor Sumit Samaddar were also present at the event. 

In the press statement, it was stated that despite shooting up the budget, the production company did not interfere in Arindam’s work. “In the course of the shoot, the cost started shooting up alarmingly, and we politely tried to raise concern. But every time we did, he (Arindam) threatened us to stop the shoot,” the statement read. The statement further stated that the shoot was done, and the cost was doubled, the production house took the responsibility of marketing and promotions in their hand. “Arindam refused to let us handle anything and demanded that he should be paid Rs One lakh per month for a period of four months for marketing on and above his remuneration and besides the total marketing budget. We politely turned down our proposal. Without our knowledge or any discussion, he got the BGM and one song composed by a music director of his choice and sold the rights of the trailer and teaser to a music company,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the lead actress of the film Swastika clearly stated that while she would be sharing the trailer and teasers, and will keep her followers updated with the film release, she will not pardon the sexual harassment she went through.