The Bengali entertainment sector has come to a halt as directors of films, television serials, and web series commenced an indefinite strike on Friday. This action is in response to recent disruptions caused by technicians refusing to collaborate with certain directors, leading to significant delays and cancellations in production schedules

The Directors Association of Eastern India (DAEI) announced the ceasework, expressing concerns over the technicians' non-cooperation, which has adversely affected multiple projects. Notably, director Srijit Roy reported an abrupt halt in the pre-shoot set design of his television serial on February 2 due to the absence of technicians. Similarly, directors Kaushik Ganguly and Joydip Mukherjee faced setbacks last month when technicians failed to appear for scheduled shoots

This strike mirrors a previous incident in July 2024, when directors initiated a ceasework following the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India's (FCTWEI) refusal to work with director Rahool Mukherjee. The impasse was resolved after three days, following the intervention of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

The current situation has prompted industry leaders to call for immediate dialogue. The West Bengal Motion Pictures Artists Forum, represented by president Ranjit Mallick and secretary Santilal Mukherjee, emphasized the need for all parties to engage in discussions to prevent further disruptions. They stated, "Any disruption of shooting will affect actors, directors, technicians, producers – every stakeholder in the industry – which will do no good... We therefore call upon every side to sit for talks for the interest of the industry and iron out differences."

As the strike continues, the Bengali entertainment industry faces significant challenges, with numerous projects stalled and financial losses mounting. Stakeholders are hopeful that prompt negotiations will lead to a resolution, allowing productions to resume and the industry to return to normalcy.