The Bengal government has proposed the formation of a high-powered advisory committee for the film and television industry, bringing together some of the most prominent names in Tollywood as part of a broader initiative to reform the sector. Among those named to the panel are veteran actor Prosenjit Chatterjee and actor-politician Dev.
The move comes at a time when the Bengali entertainment industry has been facing a series of challenges, including internal disputes, allegations of exclusionary practices, labour unrest and demands for greater transparency in the functioning of industry bodies.
According to minutes of a high-level meeting held at Nabanna on June 8, the government is considering a comprehensive review of the Information and Cultural Affairs Department and several organisations associated with film and television production. The proposed advisory committee is expected to play a key role in shaping future policy and institutional reforms.
Apart from Prosenjit and Dev, the panel is set to include actors Jisshu Sengupta and Tanmay Dey, filmmakers Kaushik Ganguly and Srijit Mukherji, producers Mahendra Soni and Sani Ghosh Ray, senior production manager Jayanta Kundu and television director Amit Das.
The committee will also feature BJP legislators Roopa Ganguly, Papiya Adhikari, Rudranil Ghosh and Hiranmoy Chattopadhyay, alongside senior government officials. Among them are Information and Cultural Affairs Secretary Dr Soumitra Mohan, Director of Films Krittibas Nayak, Nandan CEO Sharmistha Bandyopadhyay and Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister's Office Santanu Basu.
The meeting records indicate that the administration is reviewing nearly 40 committees and organisations functioning under the Information and Cultural Affairs Department. Industry representatives have reportedly been asked to assess whether overlapping bodies can be consolidated and to recommend suitable candidates for leadership positions across various institutions.
The proposed reforms come amid growing calls from within the industry for structural changes and greater accountability. Dev, who has recently emerged as one of the most vocal advocates of reform, has repeatedly stressed the need for transparency and unity within the Bengali entertainment sector.
According to the meeting document, concerns have also been raised over the functioning of industry federations and guilds. The minutes reportedly state that unless professionalism, transparency and accountability are restored, the sector could face significant financial challenges affecting producers, technicians and thousands of workers dependent on the industry for their livelihood.
A source familiar with the discussions said the objective of the proposed panel is to create a roadmap for long-term institutional reform. “The focus is on strengthening the industry, improving governance and ensuring a more professional and transparent ecosystem for all stakeholders,” the source said.
The advisory committee is expected to submit recommendations on a range of issues, including industry governance, labour relations, institutional restructuring and the future functioning of key film and television bodies in the state.
