Iconic actor Biju Phukan passes away at 70

GUWAHATI: The most popular actor of Assamese cinema in the Seventies, Biju Phukan, died here at a private hospital on Wednesday. He was 70.
According to family sources, Phukan died following cardiac ailments after he was admitted to the ICU at around 4.30 pm. The actor, whohad been ailing since long with a number of health complications, breathed his last at around 6.45 pm. Phukan is survived by his wife, a son and daughter.
The film fraternity deeply mourned the death of the actor, who had starred in almost 80 films and had been a cult of sorts. People associated with the world of art and culture were heartbroken at the loss. The actor’s last rites will be performed on Thursday with full state honours. His debut film, ‘Dr Bezbarua’ (1969), was an Assamese language thriller and a first of its kind in this genre. The film was a huge success. After playing his first role in the film ‘Baruar Sangsar’, his lead role in ‘Aranya’ in 1971 brought Phukan to the limelight.
The film was adjudged the Best Regional Film at the National Film Awards. He also acted in a few Bengali films. Phukan became a youth icon after some of his films like ‘Bowari’, ‘Bristi’, ‘Ajoli Nobou’, ‘Aparoopa’, ‘Agnisnaan’ and ‘Ghar Sangsar’ became runaway hits. The song ‘Mon Hira Doi’ from Bowari was an instant hit and even today itis the most popular song in Assamese loved by the old and young. Born in 1947 in Dibrugarh, where he studied in Kanoi College before shifting to Guwahati, Phukan was also a noted theatre personality. He also dabbled in politics for some time.
Assam governor Jagdish Mukhi and chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal termed Phukan’s demise as a great loss to the state and the film industry. The chief minister directed chief secretary VK Pipersenia to make arrangements for his last rites to be performed with full state honours.
In a condolence message Sonowal said, “I am grieved and saddened by the sudden demise of Biju Phukan who has been instrumental in promoting Assamese film and bringing itto the status it enjoys now. His contribution will be remembered by posterity.”
Sonowal, who is on an official tour of Upper Assam, asked his media adviser Hrishikesh Goswami to visit the family and comfort them in their hour of grief. He extended his condolences to the family.