Assam in talks with Aditya Dhar to direct Lachit Borphukan biopic
Synopsis
Assam's government wants a Bollywood-scale biopic on Lachit Borphukan — the 17th-century Ahom commander who defeated the Mughals at Saraighat in 1671 — and is courting Uri director Aditya Dhar to make it happen. The August meeting between CM Sarma and Dhar will determine whether the project moves from ambition to production.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed on 16 July that the state is in talks with filmmaker Aditya Dhar for a biopic on Lachit Borphukan .
Sarma is scheduled to meet Aditya Dhar in August to discuss the project in detail.
Discussions are at a preliminary stage ; no final decision or budget has been announced.
If Dhar is unavailable, the government will approach other filmmakers to ensure a grand-scale production.
The film, if made, would be the first Bollywood-scale government-backed biopic on Lachit Borphukan .
Lachit Borphukan led the Ahom army to victory over Mughal forces at the Battle of Saraighat in 1671 .
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday, 16 July announced that the state government is in preliminary discussions with National Award-winning filmmaker Aditya Dhar to helm a high-budget biographical film on legendary Ahom commander Lachit Borphukan. The proposed project aims to bring the story of one of Assam's most celebrated historical figures to audiences across India and internationally.
Where the Talks Stand
Sarma, speaking during a Facebook Live interaction, confirmed that discussions remain at a preliminary stage and no final decision has been taken. He said he is scheduled to meet Aditya Dhar in August to discuss the project in greater detail. The Chief Minister was clear that the government's ambition is a Bollywood-scale production — one that does full justice to Borphukan's legacy.
'If Aditya Dhar is not available, we will explore other options. Our priority is to make a world-class film on Lachit Borphukan that does justice to his extraordinary legacy,' Sarma said.
Why Lachit Borphukan
Lachit Borphukan is widely revered in Assam as a symbol of courage, patriotism, and military brilliance. As commander of the Ahom army, he led a decisive victory over Mughal forces at the Battle of Saraighat in 1671 — one of the most celebrated chapters in the state's history. The 17th-century general remains a towering figure in northeastern India's cultural memory, and his story has long been considered ripe for a mainstream cinematic treatment.
What the Film Would Mean
If the project moves forward, it would become the first Bollywood-scale feature film backed by the Assam government on Borphukan's life. Beyond honouring the Ahom general, Sarma said the film is intended to introduce Assam's rich historical heritage to a wider national and international audience — a cultural diplomacy objective that has gained traction among several northeastern state governments in recent years.
Aditya Dhar's Profile
Aditya Dhar is best known for directing Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), which won him the National Award for Best Direction and became one of Bollywood's highest-grossing patriotic films. His track record with large-scale, military-themed narratives makes him a natural fit for a project centred on a battlefield legend. Notably, Dhar has been associated with ambitious historical projects in development, making the Assam government's overture timely.
What Happens Next
The August meeting between Sarma and Dhar will be the key inflection point. Should Dhar decline or prove unavailable, the government has indicated it will approach other filmmakers to ensure the biopic is produced at scale. No budget figure or production timeline has been disclosed at this stage.
Point of View
Yet his post-Uri pipeline has been slow to materialise. The real question is whether Assam is prepared to offer creative autonomy alongside financial backing — without that, marquee directors tend to walk. If the project does get made, it could reframe how mainstream India understands the northeast's pre-colonial history, which remains vastly underrepresented on screen.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lachit Borphukan biopic announced by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma?
It is a proposed Bollywood-scale biographical film on 17th-century Ahom commander Lachit Borphukan, to be backed by the Assam government. CM Sarma announced on 16 July that the state is in preliminary talks with National Award-winning director Aditya Dhar to helm the project.
Who is Aditya Dhar and why is he being considered?
Aditya Dhar is the National Award-winning director of Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), one of Bollywood's most successful military-themed films. His experience with large-scale patriotic narratives makes him a strong fit for a film centred on a battlefield commander like Lachit Borphukan.
Who was Lachit Borphukan?
Lachit Borphukan was a 17th-century commander of the Ahom kingdom in present-day Assam. He is best known for leading the Ahom army to a decisive victory over Mughal forces at the Battle of Saraighat in 1671, and is widely regarded as a symbol of Assamese courage and patriotism.
What is the current status of the biopic project?
Discussions are at a preliminary stage and no final decision has been taken. CM Sarma is scheduled to meet Aditya Dhar in August to discuss the project further. If Dhar is unavailable, the government has said it will approach other filmmakers.
Why does the Assam government want to back this film?
Beyond honouring Lachit Borphukan, the government aims to introduce Assam's historical heritage to a wider national and international audience. If completed, it would be the first Bollywood-scale government-backed feature film on Borphukan's life.
