Bengali Actor Rahul Banerjee's Tragic Death: Drowning Confirmed in Preliminary Report
In a tragic turn of events, actor Rahul Arunodoy Banerjee's death has been attributed to drowning, not cardiac arrest, according to a preliminary post-mortem report cited by police on Monday. The report indicates that his lungs were filled with seawater and sand, leading to severe swelling and confirming drowning as the cause.
Investigation into Safety Lapses During TV Shoot
Police are actively investigating multiple factors that may have contributed to the incident. Key areas of focus include the absence of nearby rescuers, possibly due to an ongoing drone shot, the duration Banerjee remained underwater before being rescued, and whether basic safety protocols were followed during the shoot.
Banerjee, 43, a well-known figure in the Bengali film, OTT, and television industry, died on Sunday evening while filming for the TV series 'Bhole Baba Paar Karega' off Talsari beach in Odisha, approximately 8 kilometers from Digha. Sources from the shooting crew revealed that the camera was still rolling when Banerjee lost his balance and fell into the water while attempting to save his co-actress, before being swept away by strong currents.
Detailed Post-Mortem Findings and Forensic Tests
A police officer from East Midnapore detailed the post-mortem findings, stating, "Lots of sand and salt water entered his body, causing his lungs to swell to nearly twice the normal size. A significant amount of sand and water was also found in his food pipe. The findings indicate he remained underwater for a long time, and the death was caused by drowning, not cardiac arrest." Viscera samples have been sent for forensic tests to further determine the exact cause of death.
East Midnapore police superintendent Angshuman Saha confirmed that no complaint has been lodged yet, but the investigation is ongoing. Additionally, a police officer in Odisha's Balasore district noted that the production team had not obtained permission for the shoot, with Talsari Police coordinating with Digha Police for potential legal action.
Eyewitness Accounts and Rescue Efforts
Eyewitnesses and crew members provided harrowing details of the incident. Co-actor Bhaskar Banerjee expressed confusion over how a routine honeymoon sequence in ankle-deep water turned fatal. Santanu Nandy, an executive producer, explained that a final drone shot was underway when both Banerjee and co-actress Sweta Mishra fell into the water after she slipped. While Mishra was rescued quickly, it took longer to locate and rescue Banerjee.
Police confirmed that the final moments were captured on camera, showing the pair walking hand in hand before the fall. Crew members rushed to help, but Banerjee could not be located immediately. It was later revealed that neither Banerjee nor Mishra could swim.
Lifeguard Bhagirath Jana, who was on duty, recounted warning the crew against going deeper due to worsening weather, rising tides, and strong winds. He jumped in to rescue Mishra first and then brought Banerjee out, administering CPR and attempting to drain water before transporting him to the hospital.
Logistical Challenges and Fatal Delays
The remote location of Talsari beach posed significant challenges. With no direct road access, rescuers had to carry an unconscious Banerjee a considerable distance on foot before reaching a vehicle. This delay, coupled with the initial rush to a local facility in Talsari and subsequent transfer to Digha State General Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival, proved fatal.
Banerjee's driver, Bablu Das, who was present at the scene, noted that the actor was alive when brought to shore but had stopped breathing by the time they reached the hospital. He described strong currents that hindered rescue efforts, with water in sand pockets reaching depths of 6-7 feet.
Talsari resident Badal Gangei added that the production team was about 400 meters away on the shore, and it was the drone operator who first spotted the drowning and alerted everyone. The investigation continues as authorities piece together the events leading to this tragic loss in the entertainment industry.
