People walk past posters of late singer Zubeen Garg's last film Roi Roi Binale ahead of its release, in Guwahati, Assam.
Credit: PTI Photo
Guwahati: There were times when the Assam government had to instruct movie hall owners to compulsorily screen at least one Assamese movie during prime time to save the ailing state film industry. There were also times when cultural icon Zubeen Garg had to request viewers to watch an Assamese movie in movie halls and come to the industry's rescue.
On Friday, the scenario, however, was totally opposite as the hall and multiplex owners across Assam cancelled all other screenings for "Roi Roi Binale," Zubeen Garg's last movie that was screened 42 days after the iconic singer's sudden death while swimming in a sea in Singapore.
The scenes that prevailed in the movie halls were never witnessed in Assam's film industry. The screening began as early as 4.25 am with viewers braving early morning rains and sudden dip in temperature to make sure that they don't miss it. Soon the atmosphere inside turned so emotional that most viewers were in tears as soon as they saw Garg on screen.
Zubeen plays the character of a visually-impaired singer who struggled with the indifference around him. The character portrayed his love for the sea, something which Zubeen also loved in the real world.
Garg also produced the movie and composed all the 11 songs in it.
Loud cries echoed in the hall as Zubeen (the character) went into the sea and was about to drown, but was saved by those nearby.
"The irony is in reality those who were with Zubeen da in the Singapore sea could not save him. We want the strictest action against all of them," said Dipankar Saharia, who was among the first viewers in a multiplex in Guwahati.
Viewers shouted "Joi Zubeen da" (hail Zubeen brother) before and after the screening while many came out teary-eyed, some even broke down in front of TV cameras. "All those who were responsible for Zubeen da's death should be hanged," Ritusmin Das, another Zubeen fan, said.
Roi Roi Binale, a 146-minute musical drama, directed by Rajesh Bhuyan, was released in more than 90 screens, with nearly 600 screenings on Friday. Nationwide, it’s screening on 92 screens with over 150 shows daily. For the first time, an Assamese film is being shown in cities such as Lucknow, Pune, Dehradun, Jamshedpur, Patna, Dhanbad, Jhansi, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Kochi, Jaipur, Goa and Indore.
Zubeen's wife, Garima said the singer worked very hard for Roi Roi Binale and used to frequently talk about it saying that the movie would get more love from the people in Assam.
Apart from being an iconic singer, musician, Zubeen was very passionate about Assamese cinema and he dreamt of bringing world-class technology and feel to the Assamese movie. He entered film making when the Assamese film industry was going through a crisis. His movies like Mission China, Kanchanjangha, Rodor Chithi, Dr. Bezbaruah got warm response from his fans and brought money to the film industry.
'Justice for Zubeen'
Assam has remained in grief since Garg died at 52 and his fans have been carrying out a loud campaign demanding justice to his family and fans. It has also become a political issue ahead of Assembly elections slated early next year.
Assuring the fans, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said the SIT investigating into the case would file a chargesheet well within three months. "Total justice will be delivered, that's my promise again today."
The BJP-led state government on Wednesday decided that the state share of the GST to be collected from the movie would be paid to Kala Guru Artist Foundation, a trust formed by Zubeen Garg for assistance to artists during distress.
Distributors said tickets for the next two weeks for Roi Roi Binale has been booked and they expect the film to break all records of revenue collection.