Assamese film icon Abdul Majid dead at 86

Guwahati, Sep 24 (IANS) Abdul Majid, an icon of the Assamese film industry, died on Sunday morning, a hospital official said. He was 86.

Majid, a veteran actor, director and playwright, was admitted to the hospital on September 23. He died following a heart attack at GNRC hospital here at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, a spokesman of the hospital said.

Majid, popularly known as Majidka, was a prolific dramatist who also performed different roles in over 200 plays and worked for promoting new talents.

He directed the landmark film "Chameli Memsaab" in the 1970s. Some of the other titles that he helmed were "Banahansa", "Banjui", "Ponakan" and "Uttarkaal", through which he gave a new dimension to Assamese cinema and showed his sense of social responsibility.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condoled his demise, calling it an irreparable loss to the cultural field of Assam. Sonowal also prayed for peace for the departed soul and offered his condolences to the bereaved family.

Director Utpal Borpujari mourned Majid's death.

"RIP Abdul Majid, filmmaker-actor-dramatist. He made the classic 'Chameli Memsaab', which had this haunting song 'O Bideshi Bandhu'. Each song of 'Chameli Memsaab' is a gem. Bhupen Hazarika won the National Award for this film. Film was remade in Bengali and Hindi," Borpujari tweeted.

Reacting to it, singer Papon Angaraag wrote: "Very sad to hear that. May his soul rest in peace."

Critically acclaimed actor Adil Hussain also paid his condolences, tweeting: "So Sorry to hear that Abdul Majid, an actor, filmmaker from Assam, passed away this morning. Left behind some remarkable films. Rest in peace."