Bengali Film Stars Call for Balance Amid Durga Puja Controversy

Bengali film stars Dev and Swastika Mukherjee weighed in on balancing cultural celebrations and industry livelihood amid calls to boycott Durga Puja. While emphasizing individual choices and the film industry's dependence on festive releases, they underscored the need for attentive participation in social causes without disrupting the cultural fabric.

Amid calls from some segments of society to boycott Durga Puja in demand for justice for the R G Kar victim, Bengali film stars Dev and Swastika Mukherjee stressed the importance of balancing protests with the livelihoods of industry workers.

Dev, whose film 'Tekka' is slated for an October 8 release, highlighted the inclusive nature of festivals. He explained that individual participation should not be dictated, emphasizing that many depend on the festival season for their livelihood, especially within the film industry.

Swastika Mukherjee echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the pain evoked by Abhaya's case while affirming her intention to perform religious rituals. She pointed out that daily life hasn't come to a halt and stressed that the film industry needs support to sustain its workers. Both actors emphasized that while facing social issues, it's crucial to maintain the cultural and economic fabric.

(With inputs from agencies.)