‘Bhupen da Uncut’ premiered in Guwahati: Rare documentary brings maestro to life

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 7, 2025

The premier screening of “Bhupen da Uncut”, a documentary on legendary singer and Bharat Ratna awardee Dr Bhupen Hazarika, was held at Anuradha Cineplex, Guwahati, on Sunday morning.

The event was attended by Dr Hazarika’s family members, admirers and cultural personalities from across Assam. His son Tej Hazarika, who lives in the United States, attended the premiere along with his wife, Candace and son Sage Akash. Noted singer Samar Hazarika, younger brother of the maestro, was also present with other family members.

Producer-director Bobbeeta Sharma delivered the welcome address, noting that the documentary carries vintage footage shot in 1999 during Dr Hazarika’s visit to England. Executive producer Chinmoy Sharma delivered the vote of thanks.

Speaking after the screening, Samar Hazarika said the film made him feel as if his brother had “come alive again” and added that there is “so much material of Bhupenda” in it. Tej Hazarika and his family also expressed their excitement at the depth and variety of content in the documentary.

The premier was attended by several prominent figures from Assam’s cultural world, including filmmaker Manju Bora, Sanjib Sabhapandit, Runu Devi, singers Loknath Goswami and Malobika Bora, Prantik editor Pradip Baruah, writer Anuradha Sarma Pujari, film critic Utpal Dutta, and DY365 proprietor Dipannita Jaiswal.

Senior political leaders across party lines also joined the gathering. Among them were former Culture Minister Hemoprova Saikia, MP and former Minister Pradyut Bordoloi, Congress Legislature Party leader Debabrata Saikia, former APCC president Bhupen Kumar Borah, former Culture Minister Bismita Gogoi, and former MP Queen Oja.

Bhupen da Uncut presents a candid, first-person account of Dr Hazarika during his 1999 visit to England to participate in a cultural programme organised by the Assam Medical College Doctors Alumni Group. In the film, fondly remembered as “Bhupenda,” he reflects on his childhood, his encounters with stalwarts like Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, his academic journey in New York, and his relationship with his wife Priyamvada Patel. The documentary also explores his philosophy, ideology and features recitations of some of his poems, including verses believed to remain unpublished.

The documentary has been produced and directed by Bobbeeta Sharma, with Chinmoy Sharma as executive producer. Ravindra Badgaiyan is the editor and creative director, with camera by Chinmoy Sharma and narration script by Jimoni Choudhury.