Kolkata, 25 July (H.S.) –In a chilling incident reminiscent of a crime thriller, film director Shrikant, also known as Prince, was allegedly abducted at gunpoint by four armed assailants while shooting a music video at the popular Lal Kakra Beach in Mandarmani on Thursday evening. As of Friday afternoon, his whereabouts remain unknown, sending shockwaves through the region’s film and tourism community.

According to sources, the director had arrived in Mandarmani three days ago with a 17-member crew from Kolkata to shoot a music video. The team was filming at Lal Kakra Beach when four armed men arrived in a private car and launched the attack.

Eyewitness Shankar Mandal described the terrifying scene, saying, “I heard a commotion outside and came out of my shop. I saw a few men forcibly dragging the director into a car. He was struggling to resist, but they overpowered him. Two of them had guns.”

Witnesses reported that the assailants pointed a gun at Shrikant's head and threatened him before forcibly pushing him into the car and speeding away. The abduction happened so swiftly that neither the crew nor bystanders had a chance to react.

As of now, police have not received any ransom demands or threatening communications, and the motive behind the abduction remains unclear. A case has been registered at the Mandarmani Police Station, and an investigation is underway. CCTV footage from the surrounding areas is being reviewed for leads. A special team from the East Midnapore district police has also joined the probe.

Sources close to the team revealed that the director was scheduled to return to Kolkata on Friday after wrapping up the shoot. However, the sudden abduction has led to the cancellation of the project, and the entire crew has been called back.

This disturbing incident has once again raised concerns about rising crime in the coastal regions of West Bengal. Just a month ago, a national news agency journalist and his family were allegedly assaulted and nearly robbed in a similar incident in the region. That case, which occurred near Digha, was further marred by controversy after the local police reportedly refused to register a complaint.

Authorities are now probing whether Shrikant’s abduction is linked to professional rivalry or a more personal motive. Meanwhile, the film fraternity and local community remain on edge, awaiting any updates on the director’s safety.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh