Guwahati: Renowned film actor from Assam, Indra Baniya who was only the fifth Indian and first Assamese to bag the prestigious Silver Leopard Award at the Lucerne International Film Festival, Switzerland died here last night at a private hospital after prolonged illness. He was 76.
Baniya who was also popular drama artiste of All India Radio, acted in over 40 Assamese films. He made his foray into filmdom in 1975 through ‘Khoj’, an Assamese film directed by Pulok Gogoi.
He was decorated with the prestigious Silver Leopard Award at the Lucerne International Film Festival an 1987 for his role in Jahnu Baruah directed Haladhiya Charaye Baodhan Khai. Some of his most popular radio plays included Govardhan Charit and Moina Sambad.
Some of the prominent films in which Boniya acted were Srimati Mohimamoyee, Sendur, Bohagar Dupariya, Haladhiya Charaye Baodhan Khai, Haladhar, Joubane Amoni Kare and Koina Mor Dhuniya.
His last feature film was Ekhon Nedehka Nadir Sipare.
He was instrumental in setting up the Assam Acting Academy in 1992.
In the year 2010, he was decorated with prestigious Natasurya Phani Sarma Award by the Government of Assam.
