Kolkata: Actors Prosenjit Chatterjee and Shantilal Mukherjee have been named in a case filed before the Competition Commission of India (CCI) by the producer of the Bengali film ‘Kone Dekha Alo’ (KDA). The complaint also names office-bearers of the Artists' Forum, represented by Ranjit Mullick, along with 19 executive committee members. It alleges misuse of dominant position and anti-competitive practices aimed at preventing the production house from operating in Tollywood.
Prosenjit Chatterjee Responds
On Monday, Chatterjee told TOI, "I do not know anything about the case. I am in Delhi to receive the Padma Shri." The actor was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor, for his contributions to the arts.
Background of the Dispute
The dispute arose following the death of actor Rahul Banerjee. On April 7, members of the Forum, the Federation, and the Eastern India Motion Pictures Association jointly announced they would not work with Magic Moments Motion Pictures Pvt Ltd and other production houses linked to Leena Gangopadhyay. The decision also affected Organic Studios Private Ltd, the producer of KDA.
Allegations of Cartelization
Organic director Arka Ganguly, who filed the case, alleged, "Prosenjit Chatterjee has publicly referred to Swarup Biswas as a member of the ‘same family’ in multiple press conferences. This case will reveal how they have been operating a cartel to dominate the film and television market by unlawfully creating a ‘one family’ network to sabotage independent producers for their own business advantage, as he is also an owner of a struggling TV production house."
Pattern of Boycotts
According to Ganguly, the "boycott" imposed on his company in April was the "fourth time" in the past year that shooting had been stalled by either the Forum or the Federation. "Irrespective of whatever nomenclature may now be used, a ban was announced on us at a well-documented press conference. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to transfer the production contract of ‘KDA’ to their production houses," he alleged.
The case highlights ongoing tensions in Tollywood over alleged monopolistic practices and the struggle of independent producers to operate freely in the industry.
