Tollywood hairdresser, who attempted to kill herself by setting herself on fire, rejoins work; Sudipta Chakraborty welcomes her back

After the heinous crime that took place in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, it triggered a mass movement in West Bengal. From the lack of safety and security for women, queers, non-binary and trans-folks in the workplace to alleged corruption in various management bodies – people from different walks of lives came together to raise their voice. The Bengali entertainment industry was no different. A month ago, a well-known hairdresser from Tollywood set herself on fire in an attempted suicide after losing her job. The hairdresser attempted to end her life after being deprived of work for months because she had spoken up against the ongoing harassment inside the entertainment industry. The hairdresser was saved by her daughter. Her suicide attempt opened a can of worms that indicated all the unjust practices that had been happening in Tollywood for long. The hairdresser in question, Tanushree has recovered quite a bit and rejoined work recently. National Award winning Bengali actress Sudipta Chakraborty, who stood by her when she was battling for her life after her suicide attempt, announced Tanushree’s return to work.
Sudipta took to social media to share a photo with Tanushree to mark the special occasion. She posted the photo and wrote, “Shoot mode on!!! So glad to see Tanu back in action! Those of you who kept asking about Tanu's (Tanusree Das, hairstylist) health and other status, this is for you. She's doing absolutely fine and She's back to her work.”
A month back when Tanushree set herself on fire, she left a note where she narrated the harassment she went through and mentioned the loss of work opportunities due to pressure from the guild. She wrote, “I was suspended for three months from May 1 but even then, I was not allowed to work properly. I could not fulfil my family responsibilities properly, so I am forced to commit suicide. Committee members of my guild are responsible for this.” The hairdresser added, “I was denied one job after another. I was set to work for Mainak Bhaumik’s upcoming film but the production manager informed me that the guild had instructed them not to give me the assignment.”

Sudipta stood by Tanushree all along. She revealed that fateful incident and wrote, “She wanted to kill herself by writing a suicide note and pouring kerosene oil on herself. Somehow it was prevented. She was saved.” Sudipta added, “The extent to which workplace harassment can go is a glaring example right before my eyes right now. I will see the end of this, I promise.”
Sudipta also reminisced about her association with the sad hairdresser and wrote, “Year 2002… She started working in film/TV industry as my shooting attendant. Then learnt hairdressing, became a professional hairdresser with a hairdresser's guild card. I’ve known her for 22 years. Her husband has been sick for a long time. She pulls the family alone by doing her job. I will be by her side, no matter what.”

A month after the incident, Tanushree rejoined work. Sudipta Chakraborty is returning to Bengali TV with a new non-fiction show ‘Lakh Takar Lokkhilabh’. Tanushree will be working for the hair and makeup department on the show.