The public broadcaster Prasar Bharati, operating under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, is currently evaluating a proposal for a film titled Tillotoma. This film is based on the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College in August 2024. Gaurav Dwivedi, the CEO of Prasar Bharati, confirmed to HT that the proposal has been received and is under assessment.
The incident, marked by its brutality and subsequent allegations of police inaction, had triggered significant protests across West Bengal, prompting an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Despite Prasar Bharati’s review, the victim’s family has voiced their disapproval of the film. The victim’s father shared with HT, “We have no interest in the film being made because this doesn’t help our case at all. We just want justice. The director is making it for his benefit. They keep calling us and disturbing us. We want nothing to do with the film.”
The film is set to be directed by Ujjwal Chatterjee, a National Award winner known for his Bengali feature Gondi and the film Escape from Taliban. Chatterjee plans to narrate Tillotoma from the perspective of the victim’s mother, with former Rajya Sabha MP and actor Rupa Ganguly expected to play the lead role.
Chatterjee mentioned he had approached the victim’s parents for permission to use their daughter’s real name in the film. He stated, “If we don’t get permission, we will still make the movie, but under a different name.” He also claimed that Prasar Bharati officials, including chairman Navneet Sehgal, had encouraged him to proceed with the film, though Sehgal declined to comment.
Given the sensitive nature of the case and ongoing investigations, Chatterjee anticipates challenges filming in Kolkata and is considering New Delhi as an alternative location. He expects opposition within West Bengal once production begins. Filming is tentatively scheduled to start in December 2025 and conclude by January 2026, with a release planned before the Bengal Assembly elections in March 2026.
Chatterjee also claimed that parts of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal are supporting the film, with MLA Agnimitra Paul reportedly assisting in its production. However, BJP’s West Bengal president Samik Bhattacharya has denied any official party involvement, stating, “The BJP has no role in the making of this film.”
Agnimitra Paul acknowledged her personal connection with the victim’s family. She told HT, “I have been with the parents since the beginning, and they have a soft corner for me. We are trying to convince them to support the film, though their lawyer is not keen that it’s made right now. Unless the parents agree, we can’t go ahead.” Paul also alleged that state authorities mishandled the case and believes the film will bring the truth to light.