joint travel to different metropolises and remote corners of Assam and rest of India. The film has been under production since 1986 with film negative footage of more than 16 hours currently preserved in different film laboratories in Bombay (Mumbai), Calcutta (Kolkata) and Madras (Chennai). The film was targeted for public release during the lifetime of Dr Bhupen Hazarika in 2008. But the production was halted after sudden demise of one of the co-directors Waesqurni Bora in November 2008. Eventually, after the death of Dr Hazarika, the film's subject, the surviving co-director Arnab Jan Deka is currently carrying out necessary works to finish the film at the earliest and release for public consumption in several language versions including English, Assamese, Bengali and Hindi, with support from Late Waesqurni Bora's widowed wife Nazma Begum and Dr Hazarika's bereaved family members including his wife Priyam Hazarika and Tej Hazarika. Meanwhile, two books describing the unforgettable experiences of the making of this milestone biopic film had been authored by its co-director Arnab Jan Deka titled Anya Ek Zazabor and Mor Sinaki Bhupenda, first of which had been officially released in February 1993 by Late G P Sippy, then President of Film Federation of India and producer of world-record holder Hindi film Sholay at a public function organised by Dr Bhupen Hazarika himself. Awards and honors National and state honors Award for the Best Feature Film in Assamese (Shakuntala; Directed by Bhupen Hazarika) in the 9th National Film Awards (1961) The Best Music Director National Award for "Chameli Memsaab" (Chameli Memsaab; music by Bhupen Hazarika) in the 23rd National Film Awards (1975) Padma Shri – the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India (1977) Gold medal from the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh for "outstanding contribution towards tribal welfare, and uplift of tribal culture through cinema and music." (1979) Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987) Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1992) Padma Bhushan – the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India (2001) Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2008) Asom Ratna — the highest civilian award in the State of Assam, India (2009) Friends of Liberation War Honour, Government of Bangladesh (2011) Padma Vibhushan – the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India (2012, posthumous) Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in the Republic of India (2019, posthumous) Other awards and recognition All India Critic Association Award for best performing folk artist