The joy around late Zubeen Garg starrer Roi Roi Binale has turned serious after a YouTuber was arrested for leaking scenes online. The film has become the biggest hit in Assamese cinema, but the piracy case has left fans upset and the makers worried.
YouTuber Arrested In Roi Roi Binale Piracy Case
Police confirmed on Thursday that a man named Rafiqul Islam was arrested in Lakhipur, Goalpara district. Rafiqul runs a YouTube channel called Rafiqul R Vlogs. He is accused of uploading parts of Roi Roi Binale without permission. Officers presented him before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court, which sent him to three days of police custody.
The Cyber Police Station in Panbazar has registered the case. It includes sections under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, the Information Technology Act, the Copyright Act and the Cinematograph Act.
The film’s producer (Shyamantak Gautam) filed the complaint after unauthorised clips started appearing online within days of the release on October 31. A member of the production team said, “We worked for months to make this film special for Zubeen da’s fans. Seeing it leaked online so soon was heartbreaking.”
Roi Roi Binale has broken records at the box office. It collected around Rs 16 crore in just 12 days, making it the highest-grossing Assamese film ever. The film also holds deep emotional value for fans, as it marks the final appearance of Zubeen Garg. But the piracy case has taken away some of that joy.
The makers said such leaks can affect earnings and spoil the cinema experience for real fans. They hope the arrest will send a strong message against digital piracy, which continues to hurt regional cinema.
Even as the film continues to run successfully in theatres, the producers have urged people not to watch or share pirated versions. They also thanked the police for their quick response and action in the case.
Zubeen Garg Death
Zubeen Garg’s passing earlier this year has already left a deep void in Assam’s music and film industry. The beloved singer and actor died on 19 September in Singapore after being rescued from the sea. He was taken to hospital and admitted to the ICU, but doctors could not save him. Garg had travelled to Singapore to perform at the North East Festival on the same day.
Meanwhile, the Assam CID’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues to investigate his death. Several people have been questioned so far, including five accused (main event organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma, his cousin Sandipan Garg and two PSOs, Nandeswar and Bora). All of them have been remanded to judicial custody.
The makers of Roi Roi Binale hope that the action taken in the piracy case will protect the film’s legacy and help preserve Zubeen Garg’s final gift to his fans.
