Assam in Mourning: Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival Postponed to 2026 in Heartfelt Tribute to Zubeen Garg

10th Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival (BVFF) Deferred from December 2025 to Honour Late Cultural Icon Zubeen Garg; Investigation into Singer’s Mysterious Death in Singapore Deepens with Judicial Custody of Five Accused.

The cultural landscape of Assam has been profoundly shaken by the tragic and sudden passing of its most cherished voice, legendary singer and filmmaker Zubeen Garg. In a poignant show of respect, the organisers of the 10th Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival (BVFF) have announced the postponement of the event from its original December 2025 schedule to a later date in 2026.

BVFF Pauses Celebrations to Honour a Legend

Originally slated to run from December 4 to 7, 2025, the milestone 10th edition of the film festival will now take a year-long pause. The BVFF organising committee made the emotional announcement via an Instagram statement, expressing their solidarity with the region’s grief.

“It is with a heavy heart that the 10th edition of the Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival, originally scheduled for December 4–7, 2025, has been postponed to a later date in 2026,” the post read. “This decision comes as Assam mourns the loss of its most beloved cultural icon, Zubeen Garg, whose voice and vision defined generations. BVFF stands in solidarity with the people and the creative community.”

The committee emphasised the festival’s deep connection to the state’s cultural fabric, concluding that it was “only right to pause our celebrations this year, in remembrance and respect.” The organisers also confirmed that full refunds for all film submissions will be promptly processed for all participating filmmakers.

Zubeen Garg’s Death Investigation Escalates

While the state mourns the loss of the 52-year-old icon—who passed away in Singapore on September 19, 2025—the investigation into the circumstances of his death has intensified, triggering public outrage across Assam.

On Wednesday, a local court sent five of the accused—including North East Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Zubeen’s manager Siddhartha Sharma, his cousin and police officer Sandipan Garg, and his two personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya—to 14-day judicial custody. The arrests were made in connection with the singer’s death, which was initially reported as a scuba diving accident but was later confirmed to be a drowning incident while he was on a sea outing in Singapore.

The transfer of the accused to Baksa District Jail sparked violent protests, with a massive crowd gathering outside the facility. Demonstrators, enraged by the tragedy, reportedly hurled stones and sandals at the police convoy. The situation escalated into chaos, with several vehicles near the jail reportedly set ablaze before security forces managed to bring the violence under control. The case, now being handled by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the CID, has multiple charges, including murder, criminal conspiracy, and culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

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