The special screening of Subhashree Ganguly and Abir Chatterjee’s upcoming Bengali film Babli has been cancelled amidst the widespread public outcry over the heinous rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Raj Chakrabarty Entertainment, the production house led by Babli director Raj Chakrabarty, announced the decision to postpone the special screening, which was scheduled for Friday, a day after the film’s Independence Day release.

Subhashree Ganguly took to social media to announce the cancellation, citing the current volatile situation. In a video message, Subhashree and Abir stated, “Given the prevailing unrest and unforeseen circumstances, Team Babli has decided to cancel tomorrow’s special screening. We have also refrained from any extensive promotions for the film. However, we thank those who have come to watch the film. Team Babli stands for women’s empowerment and dignity.”

Babli marks Raj and Abir’s collaboration after more than a decade. The actor-director duo had last worked together in the 2012 blockbuster Bojhena Shey Bojhena. An adaptation of Buddhadeb Guha’s eponymous novel, the film also marks the first-time collaboration between Abir and Subhashree on the big screen.

Also featuring Sauraseni Maitra in a key role, Babli revolves around forest officer Abhi Chowdhury, who is stationed in Manipur and forms a bond with Damayanti, also known as Babli, a relative of his superior.

The film marks Subhashree’s return to the big screen after the birth of her second child, Yaalini. Abir was last seen in Premendu Bikash Chaki’s romantic drama Alaap.