Assam’s demographic reckoning
When Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tells audiences that his state faces an “existential” demographic threat, he is not reaching for hyperbole in a vacuum.
Picture yourself walking into a cinema and spotting a single chair left untouched. No popcorn, no backpack, no eager fan waiting. Just a garlanded photo of Zubeen Garg placed on the seat while screening ‘Roi Roi Binale’ movie. One seat. Only for him. As if everyone inside the theatre is whispering, “This show is also yours.”
The wait is finally over!
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The much-awaited film ‘Roi Roi Binale’ has been released today — marking an emotional moment for every Assamese.
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From early morning, theatres across Assam witnessed unprecedented crowds eager to see their beloved artist come alive on screen once again.… pic.x.com/lET1DWGdTl
— Sanjib Hazarika (@bjpsaanjib) October 31, 2025
That is how Assam welcomed ‘Roi Roi Binale’, the final film of legendary singer-composer Zubeen Garg, who passed away in Singapore last month. It was an emotional farewell, a celebration, and a silent tear-stained tribute rolled into one.
A dawn like no other
The love was so huge that the first show in Guwahati started at 4:25 am. Yes, before sunrise. Fans queued in the dark, clutching posters and flowers eager to see their favourite artist on the big screen one last time.
Theatres across Assam followed with early morning screenings, and every seat except the one reserved for Zubeen was filled.
Across the state, shows are running from morning till the next dawn. Many theatres are screening seven shows a day and tickets for an entire week vanished in minutes. Assamese cinema has never seen something like this before. Trade watchers are sure this film will create box-office history.
The story that hurts (and heals)
‘Roi Roi Binale’ (meaning ‘Tears Still Flow’ in Bengali and Assamese) is even more emotional because Zubeen himself plays a blind musician, a dreamer fighting life’s battles. He created 11 songs for the movie.
A moment in the trailer shows him unconscious by the sea as someone tries to wake him. Fans felt chills because Zubeen’s real story ended by the sea in Singapore. Yet here he is alive on screen, singing, smiling, and making millions cry.
The film is directed by Rajesh Bhuyan, and produced by Zubeen, his wife Garima Garg, and Shyamantak Gautam.
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Even the Assam government paid their tribute. The cabinet has decided that the state’s GST share from this film will go to Zubeen’s Kalaguru Artiste Foundation, helping the people he always stood for.
#WATCH | Guwahati, Assam: On the release of late singer Zubeen Garg’s last movie, ‘Roi Roi Binale’, Director Rajesh Bhuyan says, “Zubin’s dream was to make a movie. It is being released all over India… This is a record in Assam that a movie had a morning show and got such a… pic.x.com/ccgMIgKlpU
— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2025
Director Rajesh Bhuyan, emotional yet hopeful, said, “This was Zubeen’s dream. Assam gave him love, and now this film belongs to all of Assam. His dreams do not end here. We will continue them.”
He even shared that a second film is being planned.
Zubeen Garg may not walk into a theatre again. But his music, his voice, and now ‘Roi Roi Binale’, they will keep playing forever.
And somewhere in the front row, that one seat will always be his.
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