Kamya Punjabi, Rahul Raj Singh fight over Pratyusha Banerjee's last film

Pratyusha Banerjee

Since TV actress Pratyusha Banerjee, best remembered for playing Aanandi in Balika Vadhu, allegedly committed suicide on April 1 last year, numerous theories surrounding her death have surfaced. Days before her first death anniversary, another controversy is playing out.

Pratyusha's close friend, actress Kamya Punjabi is releasing a short film titled 'Hum Kuch Keh Naa Sakey', in memory of the late actress. It's said to be the last project Pratyusha worked in. The film is believed to echo her real-life story of heartbreak and even has a character named Rahul, inspired by her live-in boyfriend, Rahul Raj Singh.

Kamya Punjabi

Kamya, along with other telly folk, will release the movie online this Saturday.

Controversy broke when Kamya made her plans public. The film's producer and costume designer, Neerushaa Nikhat, says she was surprised to see Kamya hog the limelight. "I was close to Pratyusha. We shot the film one-and-a-half months before her death. No one knew about it since I didn't discuss it after her sudden death. I didn't want to seek mileage from it. A year later, I thought it would be fitting to release the film in her memory. We couldn't shoot the end, so we edited it accordingly."

Rahul Raj Singh

Kamya, however, says she announced the film because, as a popular face, she has the leverage to seek "justice for Pratyusha".
Kamya says, "I am in touch with her parents, who will also attend Saturday's event. Apart from acting in the movie, I am also its narrator."

Calling it a publicity stunt, Rahul Raj Singh says Pratyusha didn't shoot for the film. "They say they shot the film one-and-a-half months before she passed away. Pratyusha never told me about a shoot. I have her handwritten diary in which she wrote her daily schedule. There is no mention of this film. I would like to know the exact dates and location of the film's shoot."

Rahul feels the makers have put together visuals from various points in time. "If you see the promo, it shows a chubbier Pratyusha. This was how she looked two years ago when she had gained weight," says Rahul, adding, "Instead of garnering publicity in her name, let her rest in peace."