Zubeen Garg Honoured Posthumously at Filmfare Awards Assamese 2026
Assam's cultural icon Zubeen Garg was honoured posthumously at the Filmfare Awards Assamese 2026 with three prestigious awards, reaffirming his unmatched contribution to music and cinema. The late artiste received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Special Recognition for Roi Roi Binale, and Best Playback Singer (Male) for 2025.
The honours were presented ahead of the main ceremony held in Guwahati on Friday, February 27. In a heartfelt tribute, the Filmfare team visited Garg's residence to present the awards to his family, acknowledging his lasting legacy. The recognitions were received on his behalf by his wife Garima Saikia Garg, while his father Kapil Borthakur also represented the family during the ceremony.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Zubeen Garg was posthumously conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his unparalleled contribution to Assamese music and Indian cinema. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he lent his voice to thousands of songs in Assamese, Hindi, Bengali and several other languages. Known for his powerful vocal range and emotional depth, he became widely regarded as the voice of Assam.
Beyond playback singing, Garg was a composer, lyricist, filmmaker and performer. He played a defining role in modernising Assamese music while preserving its cultural identity, shaping contemporary popular culture in the state.
Best Playback Singer (Male) for 2025
He was also awarded Best Playback Singer (Male) for 2025 for the song Agoli Anubhabe from the film Rudra. The award stands as a testament to his enduring brilliance and mastery as a playback singer, even in the later phase of his illustrious career.
Special Recognition for Roi Roi Binale
The Special Recognition Award for Roi Roi Binale carries deep emotional significance. The musical film was released in theatres on October 31, 2025, just weeks after his passing. What followed was an extraordinary outpouring of love from audiences across Assam.
Cinema halls witnessed unprecedented crowds, with fans lining up as early as 3 am to watch the film. Several theatres organised special early-morning screenings, and some screened only Roi Roi Binale during its initial run as a tribute to the late artiste. Mounted on a grand scale and long envisioned by Garg, the film recorded one of the widest releases for an Assamese production and generated a remarkable box-office response.
For many admirers, watching Roi Roi Binale became a collective farewell to a legend whose music had long been woven into Assam's cultural fabric.
Controversy Surrounding His Death
Zubeen Garg passed away on September 19, 2025, in Singapore while swimming. He was present there as a cultural brand ambassador for the North East India Festival. Singapore authorities initially denied any foul play in his death.
However, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma later stated that the death was not accidental but a case of plain and simple murder. Following this, the Assam government constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A case was registered under multiple sections, including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and causing death by negligence. Subsequently, murder charges were also added as the investigation progressed. The developments intensified national attention and further underscored the immense public sentiment attached to the artiste.
An Enduring Legacy
Zubeen Garg's influence extends far beyond awards and accolades. With a career that transformed the Assamese music industry, he remains one of the most celebrated cultural figures of the region. His songs continue to resonate across generations, and his artistic vision reshaped modern Assamese cinema and music.
The triple honour at Filmfare Awards Assamese 2026 stands not only as recognition of his achievements but also as a reminder that legends never fade. His voice, vision and cultural impact will continue to inspire artists and audiences for decades to come.
