Biopic on slain anti-rape crusader set for August release

Kolkata, July 7 (IANS) As the film that chronicles the movement led by Barun Biswas - the slain anti-rape crusader from West Bengal - inches closer to its release in August, family members of the late schoolteacher believes that society needs more such individuals to intervene, especially in the light of the Kamduni gang rape.

"There should be and will be more Barun Biswas. Now more than ever we need more individuals like Barun. What has been happening in areas like Kamduni has made society realise that there is a need to protest. The fight for women's safety will not stop," Asit Kumar Biswas, Barun's brother, told IANS Sunday.

On July 5, 2012, the 39-year-old Barun was shot and murdered allegedly by the criminals he protested against, at a railway station in Gobardanga block, in the state's North 24-Parganas district.

Since 2002, the braveheart had been instrumental in leading protests against a spate of rapes in his hometown Sutia in the same district. Gradually, the agitation swelled as more and more residents joined in and this led to the formation of the protest organisation Protibadi Mancha.

During the course of his campaign, Barun, who was a schoolteacher at the city's Mitra Institution, received many death threats. Undeterred, he carried on the crusade till his last days.

Now a biopic, directed by Bengali filmmaker Raj Chakraborty called "Proloy" starring Parambrata Chatterjee, will showcase Barun's crusade against attacks on women.

" 'Proloy' is based on Barun Biswas's struggle against the system. Though there are elements of fiction in the script, my message through the film is that we should not stop protesting," Chakraborty said while visiting Barun's family during the poster release of the movie.

"We will continue his fight. I hope the film inspires more youngsters to stand up and raise their voice for the honour of women," said Asit Kumar.

Barun was posthumously accorded the Mind of Steel Award under the Godfrey Phillips Bravery Awards banner March 2013.

A second-year college student was abducted, raped and killed by a group of young men June 7, while she was returning home after appearing for an examination in Kamduni village in Barasat in North 24-Parganas district.

Eight people have been arrested for the crime.