Documentary filmmaker hangs self in Kolkata flat; Twitter calls him #MeToo victim

Arghya Basu, a 48-year-old documentary filmmaker was found hanging on March 01 at his Kolkata apartment, from which he was rescued.

According to the Kolkata police investigating the case, the filmmaker was suffering from depression. But no suicide letter was recovered.

During the #MeToo movement, filmmaker and an  FTII alumnus Nishtha Jain, who directed the National Award-winning documentary Gulabi Gang, had accused Arghya of sexual assault, an allegation which he denied.

Arghya has also been the HoD of the Mass Communication and Videography department at ST. Xavier's College, Kolkata. he has also taught film editing at FTII, Pune.

Meanwhile, Twitterati is calling the filmmaker a victim of the #MeToo movement.

TV personality Mallika Dua tweeted, "RIP Arghya Basu. It is indeed an irresponsible, unregulated online lynch mob."

RIP Arghya Basu. It is indeed an irresponsible, unregulated online lynch mob.

— Mallika Dua (@MallikaDua) March 4, 2019

Author Sandhya Menon tweeted, "My deepest sympathies to Arghya Basu's loved ones. It distresses me and I'm sure others working towards safer workplaces when such a thing happens. I think about all the consequences that arise out of something like this and how defeating it is all around - for men and women."

My deepest sympathies to Arghya Basu's loved ones. It distresses me and I'm sure others working towards safer workplaces when such a thing happens. I think about all the consequences that arise out of something like this and how defeating it is all around - for men and women.

— Sandhya Menon (@TheRestlessQuil) March 5, 2019

'October' director, Soojit Sircar taking a sly dig on the growing cases of depression said, "All may not agree, but we must move back to our old way of living like joint families.. This may be the only solution/Medicine to curb all mental insecurities, loneliness and most important depression. Family umbrella secures our Mind."

All may not agree, but we must move back to our old way of living like joint families.. This may be the only solution/Medicine to curb all mental insecurities, loneliness and most important depression. Family umbrella secures our Mind.

— Shoojit Sircar (@ShoojitSircar) March 5, 2019

No formal complaint has been lodged yet.