Guwahati: A memorial event was held on Friday at Surjya Club, Cenikuthi, Guwahati, to honour the life and contributions of celebrated filmmaker and scriptwriter Bhaskar Jyoti Das, who passed away on December 26, 2024, at the age of 51 after a battle with cancer.
The event featured a special screening of Das’s acclaimed documentary An Unknown Summer, which competed at the 2024 International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala.
Friends, collaborators, and admirers gathered to pay their respects, sharing heartfelt memories and highlighting Das’s significant influence on Assamese cinema and storytelling.
Aparna Sarma, a professor at the University College of Los Angeles and a collaborator on academic documentaries about Assam and Northeast India, described Das as a “creative genius” and expressed profound sorrow over his passing.
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National award-winning filmmaker Supriya Sen, in an audio message, recalled Das’s unique storytelling approach and his unwavering passion for cinema.
Jaicheng Jai Dohutia, director of the national award-winning film Haanduk, delivered an emotional tribute, remembering Das as both a mentor and a close friend who shaped his creative journey.
National award-winning filmmaker and critic Utpal Borpujari commended Das’s dedication to nurturing young talent through initiatives like the Cinema Within We film workshop series, which he co-organized with Dohutia.
Filmmaker Boby Sarma Baruah also paid homage, emphasizing Das’s contributions as the scriptwriter for her critically acclaimed film Sonar Baran Pakhi.
Other notable attendees included filmmaker Sanjeev Hazarika, theatre personality Nayan Prasad, journalist and critic Bitopan Borbora, and filmmaker-editor Diganta Bora.
Bhaskar Jyoti Das, originally from Tangla, left his dental education to pursue a career in filmmaking.
His illustrious career included award-winning scripts for films such as Haanduk, Sonar Baran Pakhi, and Bokul Phulor Dore.
He also co-directed and produced the feature film Antardhan and worked on impactful documentaries like Where Is My Home and I Don’t Want to Be Born Again for Poem.
His experimental feature film Xadhukatha, produced by Samiran Deka, remains in post-production and is highly anticipated.
The memorial event underscored Bhaskar Jyoti Das’s remarkable contributions to Assamese cinema and his fearless storytelling.
His legacy as a filmmaker, mentor, and cultural custodian continues to inspire future generations, ensuring his work will resonate for years to come.
