Actors and technicians of the Bengali film and television industry on Tuesday called off their day-long cease work after reaching a consensus with producers and television channels to implement a comprehensive safety Standard Operating Procedure (SoP).

The strike had brought shooting activities across studios in Kolkata to a standstill, with artistes halting work on television soaps, web series, and films to demand improved workplace safety measures.

The protest was triggered by the tragic death of actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, who drowned during an outdoor shoot near Digha in Purba Medinipur district on March 29. The incident raised serious concerns over the lack of adequate safety protocols during outdoor and high-risk shoots.

Following discussions between representatives of artistes, technicians, producers, and broadcasters, all parties agreed to adopt a structured SoP aimed at ensuring proper safety arrangements at shooting locations. The measures are expected to include risk assessments, deployment of trained safety personnel, and stricter supervision during hazardous scenes.

After the agreement, industry bodies announced that shooting activities would resume from April 8.

Stakeholders expressed hope that the newly agreed safety framework would prevent such tragedies in the future and ensure a secure working environment for all members of the industry.