Popular Assamese film and theatre actor Biju Phukan died this evening in a private hospital here following cardiac ailments, his family said.
He was 69.
The hero of Assamese film industry was admitted to the ICU of the hospital with breathing difficulty around 4.30 pm and passed away around 6.45 pm, his family sources said.
The actor who was ailing for sometime and had undergone treatment in hospital recently also, his family sources added.
He was born in 1948 in Dibrugarh, where he studied in Kanoi College before shifting to Guwahati to start his film career.
Phukan appeared in more than 80 Assamese feature films till his death, cinema industry sources said.
He also acted in a number of plays.
His first movie was 'Dr Bezbarua' in 1970 and his first role as a leading actor was in 'Baruar Songsar' followed by 'Aranya' in 1971 which established him as a 'hero' in 1971.
'Aranya', which was directed by Samarendra Narayan Dev was adjudged the best regional film at the National Film Awards.
He acted in popular movies 'Ajoli Nobou', 'Buwari', 'Bristi' and 'Ghar Sangsar'.
The song 'Mon Hira Doi' from the film 'Bowari' of 2015 which showed him singing the it topped the music charts.
Nip Baruah-directed 'Anthony Mor Naam' in 1986 made the actor a cult figure in Assamese cinema.
Biju Phukan had also acted in four Bengali movies - Hotel Showfox, Aparajita, Doishyu Ratnakar and Gajamukta and was a former jury member of Indian Panorama.
His last released film was 'Dur', which hit the screens in 2016.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condoled Biju Phukan's death and said he would be cremated at Nabagraha crematorium tomorrow with state honours, his media advisor Hrishikesh Goswami told reporters.
Governor Jagdish Mukhi condoled Phukan's death and said I am deeply saddened by his death who hugely contributed to popularise Assamese cinema. With his death a void will be created which will be hard to fill.
"I extend my condolences to the bereaved family and his fans, he added.
