Biopic shines spotlight on 'B.C. Roy of Assam'

The life and works of legendary Assamese physician, social worker and philanthropist Bhubaneswar Barooah, also known as 'Bidhan Chandra Roy of Assam', has been captured in a biopic, which, its makers hope, will instill the doctor's ideals of serving the poor and the needy among the youth.

Titled "Lokabandhoo" (Friend of The People), the Assamese film, directed by Dhiraj Kashyap and conceived and produced by noted homeopathic doctor Dilip Ghoshal, premiered at the ongoing 21st Kolkata International Film Festival's 'Indian Select' section.

"The film will not only preserve Barooah's legacy but also inspire future generations to serve the poor and needy with unflinching devotion," Kashyap told IANS over the phone from Assam.

Barooah born in 1893, lived through the turbulent decades of 1930s and 1950s and contributed to India's freedom struggle. As a physician of undivided Assam, Barooah gained prominence for his wonderful sense of clinical diagnosis, capacity to read patients' psyche and for the way he treated and managed patients.

"He was one of the favourite students of B.C. Roy, the former chief minister of West Bengal. Barooah travelled to far-flung areas to create awareness among ignorant masses about health, sanitation and hygiene and abou the evils of opium eating," Kashyap said.

The film is set in the decades post-1930.

The team plans to release the film in Assam in January 2016.

"Since we received a lot of appreciation from people in Kolkata, we want to release it in Bengal as well," added Kashyap.