§  When Art Becomes Memorial – History in Theatres

§  Zubeen Garg’s final film released October 31, 2025. Highest opening Assamese film. ₹4.15 crore collection. His last masterpiece.

§  Roi Roi Binale, Zubeen Garg’s posthumous film released Oct 31, 2025, breaks Assam box office records with ₹4.15 crore in 2 days.

§  Zubeen Garg’s last film ‘Roi Roi Binale’ shatters Assamese cinema records. 147-minute musical drama with 11 original songs. Read reviews, box office collection.

On October 31, 2025, Assam woke up crying. Not just mourning, but celebrating. At 4:25 AM, the first screening of Roi Roi Binale began at Matrix Cinema Hall in Beltola, Guwahati – a moment that would rewrite the story of Assamese cinema forever. The film that legendary singer-actor Zubeen Garg had meticulously created just before his tragic death in Singapore became more than just a movie. It transformed into a cultural pilgrimage, a final goodbye and a living archive of genius.

In just two days, the film collected a mind-blowing ₹4.15 crore – making it the highest-opening Assamese film in history. But numbers don’t capture the real story. What captured the hearts of millions was the emotional tsunami that swept through every theatre across Assam, India and beyond.

The Man Behind the Final Dream

Zubeen Garg was not just a singer. He was Assam’s voice, the state’s unbeatable spirit and India’s cultural bridge connecting Northeast to the world. Born Zubeen Borthakur, he rose from Assam’s soil to become a household name across India through his legendary 2006 Bollywood hit “Ya Ali” from the film Gangster. That one song earned him the Best Playback Singer award at the Global Indian Film Awards (GIFA), catapulting him into mainstream consciousness.

But Zubeen was never just about Bollywood. He sang in over 40 languages and dialects – Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, Nepali, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, Marathi, Kannada and many more. A multi-instrumentalist who could master 12 different instruments including tabla, guitar, harmonium and dotara, he was Assam’s highest-paid singer and the state’s most beloved cultural icon.

His career spanned over three decades. From his revolutionary Assamese debut album “Anamika” in 1992 to his iconic Bengali songs like “Mon Mane Na” and “Piya Re Piya Re,” Zubeen created a legacy of 32,000+ songs that would inspire generations. He was more than an artist – he was a fearless social activist who stood against militant groups, spoke out against discriminatory policies and used his fame to serve society’s most vulnerable.

On September 19, 2025 the nation experienced an irreplaceable loss.

The Tragedy That Shook Assam

The news came like a thunderbolt. Zubeen Garg, aged just 52, had drowned in the sea near St John’s Island in Singapore. He was there to perform at the Northeast India Festival, celebrating India’s 60 years of diplomatic relations with Singapore. In a moment of swimming joy, tragedy struck.

According to reports, Zubeen had jumped into the water wearing a life jacket but removed it just minutes later, saying the oversized vest made swimming difficult. What happened next was a heartbreak that shook not just Assam but the entire nation. He became unconscious, was pulled from the water, given CPR and rushed to Singapore General Hospital – but he could not be saved.

Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed the official cause: drowning. No foul play was suspected but as the investigation progressed, questions remained. The incident sparked a massive public outcry, with #JusticeForZubeenGarg and #We_Need_ZubeenGgJustice_within_10days becoming viral hashtags. Over 3.80 lakh people signed a petition demanding a thorough investigation. Seven arrests were made as the Assam Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) launched an inquiry.

But for his family, his fans and his nation – nothing could bring him back.

A Movie, A Prophecy, A Haunting Echo

Before his death, Zubeen had one final dream. For 19 years, he had been planning to make a film. Not just any film – a musical romantic drama that would capture his soul, his struggles and his unbreakable love for music and life. That film was Roi Roi Binale.

The title itself – meaning “Tears Still Flow” or “Crying With Pauses” – now feels prophetic. In the movie, Zubeen plays Raul, a blind musician who dreams of touching the sea. In one haunting scene near the end of the 147-minute musical drama, the protagonist stands by the ocean, marvels at its vastness and wonders aloud if he could swim in it. His romantic interest responds: “Together.”

It was a scene that would become unbearably emotional for audiences like 45-year-old Rekha Baruah, who watched the film after Zubeen’s death. “I can’t help wonder if Garima bou (Zubeen’s wife) could have been with him at that time, he might have still been alive with us today. It felt prophetic,” she said, tears flowing in the dark theatre.

The film is a medical-grade masterpiece – not just because of its cinematic brilliance but because every frame, every song, every moment contains a piece of Zubeen’s genius. He had written it, produced it, acted in it and composed all 11 original songs. Every melody, every lyric, carries his signature – that distinctive voice that made millions weep for decades.

The Production That Became a Race Against Time

What makes Roi Roi Binale even more remarkable is the heroic effort to complete it after Zubeen’s sudden death. Post-production work was still underway when tragedy struck. But his wife, Garima Saikia Garg – also a co-producer – refused to let her husband’s final vision die with him. She took charge of the remaining post-production work, working tirelessly to ensure the film would release on its scheduled date.

Director Rajesh Bhuyan spoke about the emotional weight of this mission: “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 good response. He had many dreams, which we all together will try to fulfill now. This film belongs to the entire Assam and its people.”

The film features a stellar supporting cast including Joy Kashyap, Achurjya Borpatra Mousumi Alifa, Yasashree Bhuyan and Kaushik Bharadwaj. But everyone knew – this was Zubeen’s film. His last gift to the world.

Box Office Records: When Love Breaks All Numbers

·       The numbers tell a story of unprecedented love and grief intertwined.

o   Roi Roi Binale opened with advance bookings of 41.20 lakh gross – already surpassing the previous Assamese cinema record held by Rudra (40.20 lakhs). On Day 1 (October 31, 2025), the film collected an estimated ₹3.00 crore worldwide – ₹2.60 crore gross in India and ₹0.40 crore overseas. This shattered every previous record for Assamese films. The previous top openers had not even crossed ₹1 crore on Day 1.

o   Day 2 (November 1, Saturday) saw the collection jump to ₹2.65 crore net, bringing the two-day total to a stunning ₹4.15 crore. The occupancy rate on opening day was around 98 percent – nearly every seat filled, every show houseful.

Theatres across Assam began their first screenings at 4:25 AM in Guwahati and as early as possible in Tezpur. Many cinemas arranged up to seven screenings daily, running from 5 AM until midnight to meet the overwhelming demand. In an unprecedented move, every single theatre across Assam screened only Roi Roi Binale – all other films, including Baahubali: The Epic, Kantara: Legend Chapter 1 and Demon Slayer, were halted.

Eight new screens were opened specifically for this film. Two old theatres that had closed down were reopened just for Zubeen. The distributor Siddhartha Goenka revealed that the film opened in 100 screens outside the Northeast – deep into territories like Lucknow, Indore, Patna, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kochi, Jaipur, Surat, Ranchi, Dhanbad, Coimbatore and Goa.

“In the geographical area of Assam, there is no other film being screened, including in multiplexes. This has never happened before. It is being screened in 100 screens outside the Northeast, deep into territories that Assamese films have never reached before,” Goenka said.

Trade experts predict the film could potentially earn ₹30-50 crore during its full theatrical run – a figure no Assamese film has ever achieved before. The previous highest grossers were Bhai Mon Da and Bidurbhai, which earned around ₹13 crore each.

The Theatre Becomes a Sacred Space

What happened in those theatres was not just cinema. It was a spiritual experience.

Fans began lining up outside theatres as early as 4 AM, braving heavy rains, carrying posters, wearing traditional Assamese scarves, holding candles and gamosas – a heartfelt tribute to their fallen hero. Many attended the earliest shows, unwilling to wait another minute to see Zubeen’s face on the big screen one final time.

As the end credits rolled and the film concluded, something magical happened. The theatre went silent. Then, suddenly, an audience member shouted: “Joi Zubeen da (Glory to Zubeen da).” Others followed. The dim theatre lights flickered back on to reveal an audience in tears. A middle-aged man in the first row stood up, his voice cracking as he cried, “Justice for Zubeen da.”

This scene repeated in theatres across Assam, India and abroad. The film had transformed into a collective mourning ritual, a place where thousands could come together to celebrate a life, grieve a death and honor a legend. For many, it felt less like watching a movie and more like a pilgrimage – a final chance to be close to the man who had shaped their identity, their music and their pride in being Assamese.

The Impact Beyond Cinema: A State’s Cultural Statement

The release of Roi Roi Binale was not just a film premiere – it was a political and cultural statement. Zubeen Garg’s death had already become a major talking point in an election-bound Assam. His popularity and influence over the state had been evidenced by the mass mourning that swept through Assam immediately after his death with lakhs of people gathering for a final glimpse.

In a special tribute, the Assam government announced that all State GST collections from the film’s release would be transferred to the Kalaguru Artists Foundation – an organization established by Zubeen himself to support underprivileged artists. This decision transformed the film’s commercial success into a meaningful legacy that would continue to support the very community Zubeen had always fought for.

Several prominent figures from Assam’s cultural fraternity – musicians, artists, politicians and celebrities – voiced their support for the film and the demand for justice. The hashtag movement #JusticeForZubeenGarg continued to trend across all social media platforms.

The Songs That Echo Forever

One of the most remarkable aspects of Roi Roi Binale is its music. Zubeen composed all 11 original songs featured in the film. Each track carries his signature – that haunting, soulful voice that made him a legend. These songs represent his final musical statements, his last compositions, his ultimate artistic expression.

For fans familiar with Zubeen’s decades-long catalogue – from the iconic “Ya Ali” that launched him to stardom to his Bengali masterpieces “Mon Mane Na” and “Piya Re Piya Re,” to his Assamese classics – these new compositions feel like pieces of his soul distilled into sound.​

The music of Roi Roi Binale is not just entertainment. It is testimony. It is a document of a genius at his final creative peak.

What Fans Are Saying: The Social Media Storm

Across X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, the response has been overwhelming. Social media engagement has broken all previous records for Assamese cinema.

·       One X user wrote: “The first show today was at 4:25 AM in Assam. Never has any Indian film in my knowledge had a first show this early. Go watch Zubeen Garg’s ‘Roi Roi Binale’. Joi Zubeen Da.”

·       Another posted: “This is so shocking.! The voice of a generation.! Gone too soon. At a loss for words.! Lost a friend. Lost a brother. A big void. Praying for a peaceful journey of his soul.”

·       The trending hashtags tell the story of collective emotion: #ZeenGarg,#RRoiBinale, JusticeForZubeenGarg, #We_Need_ZeenGargJustice_within_10days, #AssamCinema, #ZubeenGargmorial and many more dominate the social media landscape.

Garima Saikia Garg’s single Facebook post about the film received over 50,000 likes, 38,000 comments and nearly 9,000 shares – shattering engagement records.

READ MORE: Zubeen Garg Case Breakthrough: Singapore Sends Autopsy Reports, SIT Charges Expected by December 17

The Larger Narrative: Zubeen as Symbol of Unity

What makes Zubeen Garg’s legacy extraordinary is that his influence transcended the entertainment industry. In a state like Assam – historically marked by conflicts over identity, religion, caste and politics – Zubeen became a unifying force.

As noted in multiple media analyses, Zubeen’s voice rose above the divisions in a state torn apart by competing ideologies. People who were tired of conflicts appreciated that he didn’t follow militant orders, spoke out against discriminatory policies and refused to be confined by any single identity. He called himself “Kanchenjunga” – meaning “high, unbound and free”.

In a region where politics had repeatedly failed to bring people together, culture – through Zubeen’s music – became the most potent unifying force. His reluctance to stay in Bollywood and his insistence on returning to “the land of mountains and rivers” inspired generations of Assamese youths to take pride in their roots.

·       The release of Roi Roi Binale is a continuation of this legacy. It is Assam telling the world: “This was our Zubeen. This is who we lost. And this is what we will never forget.”

The Investigation and Ongoing Mystery

While the film celebrates Zubeen’s artistic genius, the question of his death remains partially unresolved. The Assam Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) has made seven arrests so far, including event organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, Zubeen’s manager Siddharth Sharma, bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, co-singer Amritprava Mahanta, Zubeen’s cousin and suspended APS officer Sandipan Garg and two personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya.

Investigators uncovered suspicious financial transactions exceeding Rs 1.1 crore linked to the PSOs’ accounts. Bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami even alleged that Zubeen may have been poisoned – an allegation that reignited public demand for justice.

As of now, the case is registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) including murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy and causing death by negligence. The Assam Chief Minister promised that a chargesheet would be filed within 3 months.

For his family and fans, closure remains elusive. What they know is that Zubeen deserved better. And now, through Roi Roi Binale, they have one final chance to celebrate him.

What’s Next: The Legacy Continues

Roi Roi Binale is not just Zubeen’s final film – it is also a beginning. Director Rajesh Bhuyan and the production team have announced plans for more projects. There is a plan for a second movie based on Zubeen’s life and work. The Kalaguru Artists Foundation will continue to support Assamese artists in his memory.

The film is expected to run in theatres for several weeks, possibly months. Trade analysts predict it could become a defining moment in Indian cinema – a film that broke barriers, shattered records and reminded the world why Northeast India matters.

Call to Action: Be Part of History

If you haven’t seen Roi Roi Binale yet, this is your moment. This is not just a film – it is a historical document, a cultural monument and a final masterpiece from one of India’s greatest artists.

Grab your tickets. Arrive early. Prepare your heart. Sit in that theatre and allow yourself to feel the full spectrum of emotions – the joy, the sorrow, the pride, the loss and the undying love that Zubeen Garg inspired in millions.

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