Guwahati: Nimananda Das, a noted Assamese cine-journalist, cultural activist, and debutant filmmaker, died in a tragic road accident in Majuli early Sunday night. He was 55.
The incident occurred at around 2:00 a.m. near Bhakat Chapori when Das lost control of his vehicle, which then plunged into a deep ditch. He was driving alone at the time.
Das had been in Majuli to shoot Rumyang, his directorial debut and a biographical film based on the life of Jadav Payeng, the ‘Forest Man of India‘.
According to reports, Das was returning to his camp at Poduimoni Gaon in Majuli after dropping off crew members and urgent camera equipment at the Gogamukh railway station. It is suspected that he lost his way in the dark, leading to the fatal crash.
Actor Rajib Kro stated that filming had wrapped up the previous day, and the team was scheduled to travel back to Guwahati on Monday morning.
“We had planned to return together today. However, some equipment needed to be delivered to Guwahati urgently. Das went to drop the crew members and the equipment at the station, and the accident took place on his way back to Majuli,” Kro explained.
In addition to his recent directorial venture, Das was a respected cine-journalist and documentary scriptwriter. His body is currently being held at a local hospital in Majuli for a post-mortem examination.