As the cultural icon’s final film, Roi Roi Binale, was premiered Friday, thousands of Zubeen Garg admirers flocked to cinema theaters throughout Assam, 42 days after his death in Singapore last month. Theaters maintained Garg’s lamps and garlanded photographs, and some hall owners even reserved a place for every performance.
When he passed away, the film was nearing completion and Garg had planned its premiere for October 31. The crew and Garg’s family made sure it was released on time. On the first day, 179 showings of the movie were showing in Guwahati, where fans withstood the rain. The latest screening was set for 11:50 p.m., while the first one began at 4:25 a.m.
Garg plays the lead part of a singer who is blind or visually handicapped in the musical film, which was directed by Rajesh Bhuyan. Garg and his wife, Garrima Saikia Garg, authored the film, composed the soundtrack, and produced it. The film has been shown in more than 90 single-screen theaters and multiplexes, which is a record for any Assamese film, according to Rajib Bora, general secretary of the All Assam Cinema Hall Owners Association.
“Tickets for nearly every show during the first week are sold out due to the tremendous response.” More than 70 theaters and multiplexes across Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kochi were showing Roi Roi Binale. For Garg’s final film, some old single-screen theaters in Assam were renovated and reopened, while new theaters were opened earlier than expected.
In several locations, organizations reserved whole performances. One performance was scheduled at a theater in Guwahati by the Asom Gana Parishad. According to Bora, who also owns Gold Cinemas, the film is showing in 12 of their theaters spread over nine locations. “Roi Roi Binale will be shown at our new theater in Hojai.”
He warned of harsh penalties in the event of any infractions and urged people to shun piracy. Millions attended Garg’s final ceremonies and paid their final respects. A memorial will be built at the location of his cremation. There, thousands have been paying their respects. On Friday, people honored Garg’s pictures before going into theaters. In certain halls, the crowd rose to sing the well-known Garg song Mayabini.
After the movies, many people were observed crying or wiping their tears as they left. The difficulties faced by the singer he portrays in the film were depicted in the trailer. Similar to how he passed away in Singapore, one of the scenes depicts Garg asleep on a beach while someone tries to resuscitate him.
According to Upakul Sarmah, deputy registrar at Bhattadev University, Garg appeared to invest his entire being into the movie. He addressed a number of significant topics, such as the targeting of defenseless children in the name of revolution, that we find difficult to discuss aloud in films. The message to all Assamese that we can swim if we stick together really got my attention.
In terms of earnings, the film is anticipated to surpass previous records in the Assamese film industry. The highest-grossing film to date, Bidurbhai, made nearly ₹15.75 crore when it was released in 2024. It’s hard to predict how much money the film will make, but it will surpass all prior records. According to conservative estimates, Roi Roi Binale should make more than ₹50 crore, Bora stated.
The Assam Cabinet resolved on Wednesday to donate the state’s portion of the film’s earnings to the Kalaguru Artiste Foundation, which Garg established to support artists in times of medical need, as well as for flood relief efforts and student financial aid. Two concurrent investigations into the suspicious circumstances surrounding Garg’s death are being conducted in Assam and Singapore. His manager, a cousin, an event planner, two of his bandmates, and two guards are among the seven individuals detained for their alleged involvement in Garg’s demise.