EIMPA Row Deepens, Bengali Producers Demand Pia Sengupta’s Resignation

A section of producers and distributors in the Bengali film industry has launched protests against Pia Sengupta, chairperson of the Eastern India Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA), demanding her resignation and reforms in the functioning of the organisation.

The protests, which continued over the past three days at the EIMPA office in Kolkata, stem from allegations of lack of transparency, political influence and exclusion of stakeholders from important decisions within the association.

EIMPA is one of the oldest and most influential film trade bodies in eastern India, representing producers, distributors, exhibitors and other members of the Bengali film industry.

The agitation intensified on May 4 during the counting of votes at the organisation’s office. Protesters gathered outside demanding Sengupta’s resignation and symbolically sprinkled Ganga water across the premises as part of a “purification” ritual. Saffron-coloured gulal was also used during the demonstrations.

The protesters alleged that the current leadership was not functioning in a politically neutral or democratic manner. They demanded the formation of a new screening committee and sought discussions involving all stakeholders before decisions are taken by the executive committee.

Distributor Satadeep Saha, one of the protest leaders, said the group was against what he described as a “ban and threat culture” within the organisation and called for transparent voting procedures in future committee formations.

Amid the unrest, Sengupta reportedly filed a General Diary (GD) claiming she did not feel safe inside the office premises, following which personnel from Bowbazar Police Station and central forces were deployed at the spot.

Sengupta denied allegations of political influence and maintained that EIMPA has always functioned in a politically neutral manner. Both sides are expected to hold discussions on May 8 to address the ongoing dispute.