Released on 17th January, Gulai Soor, a satirical Assamese drama film portraying the 70s era in Assam, is running successfully in theaters. Explore the storyline, cast, and review, and book your ticket now.

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Gulai Soor, the first Assamese movie of 2025, has recently hit the theaters, and we’re all sitting on the edge of our seats to know all its details. Let’s have a deep dive into its storyline, casting, themes, and reviews to keep up with the excitement.

In recent times, the Assamese film industry has regained its glory with the release of some exciting new projects. From winning international awards to breaking box office records, Assamese movies have evolved with various new elements in the recent past. One of such elements is satirical comedy or just pure comedy. With movies like Bidurbhai and Local Kung-fu, the Assamese audience has developed a liking for such comedies, which is motivating the filmmakers to release movies in the similar genre.
The recent release, Gulai Soor, is also a satirical period drama set in 1970s-80s Assam by Raktim Kamal Baruah. The film is a collaborative production between Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation Ltd and Zeng Entertainment. It was released on January 17, 2025, on the occasion of Silpi Divas and one-year anniversary of the opening of Aideo Cinema Hall.
The Stroyline
This historical drama explores the art of theft and the infamous “school of thieves” in the vibrant Assam of the 1970s and 1980s. It takes viewers on a nostalgic trip back in time as it explores the smart strategies and tales surrounding these notorious criminals via a satirical viewpoint. The film provides a striking look into the history and culture of Assam. This fascinating new movie can be summed up by its wit, humor, and captivating plot.
Reasons to watch Gulai Soor
Fresh and original: Gulai Soor is a one-of-a-kind movie where a bygone period is presented in such a beautiful way that, along with its ongoing storyline, it also presents the beautiful heritage and culture of early Assamese society. The movie doesn’t resemble any Bollywood project, and it’s purely authentic, coming from the creative minds of Assamese filmmakers.
Great acting: Gulai Soor is marked by tremendous acting done by everyone in the crew. The audiences have praised its cast, appreciating them for their efforts and bringing life into the characters. The dialogue delivery is commendable and subtle; original acting has been the highlight.
Cinematography and direction: Raktim Baruah has done a great job in presenting the vibrant display of Assam. Bindip Sarma has played with his lenses quite well to be able to perfect the cinematography. The action sequences are praised by everyone. Gulai Soor is a huge hit because of the way the production design captures the era in which the story is set, from the wooden namghar to the antique lamps, clothing, and cars.
Picture of Assam’s history: The film offers a heartfelt tribute to a period that influenced the rich past of the region while admirably showcasing elements of traditional Assamese culture, heritage, and identity. Gulai Soor is made for every age group with the perfect blend of entertainment as well as emotional depth.
Sound and music: The sound effects of the movie are one of the key highlights of its success. The music evokes a genuine sense of nostalgia, similar to hearing our grandparents and elders narrate tales of village life. Also, the song “Gulai Nights,” performed by Lakhya and KLANZ, has created quite a buzz since its release.
Director’s vision
Raktim Barua recalls his early years, when his father and uncles told him stories about Gulai Soor or infamous thieves. As a child, he was captivated by the stories and they stuck with him. Only during the 2020 pandemic’s lockdown did the notion that it might be made into a movie occur to him.
2020 Covid-19 Lock down isolation heightened his sense of nostalgia and served as a catalyst for his “Gulai Soor” project. He found it challenging to release a period drama in Assam, nevertheless, because of the audience’s skepticism. When Raktim brought up this proposal, Gulai Soor’s producers, Dhritiman Das and Majid Khan, were eager to get started, and it finally did in December 2022.
Talented Cast
Renowned actors Kenny Basumatary, Bonny Deori, Himangshu Prasad Das, Jayanta Das, Bedabrat Bora, and Tony Deori are among the film’s outstanding cast members. A number of other gifted actors also contribute their extraordinary talents to the film.
The story mostly centers on Tony Deori’s character Diga, the protagonist, and how he deceives everyone with cleverness. In his portrayal of Gulapi, a queer character, actor Himanshu Gogoi infuses the story with a pleasant innocence. This movie demonstrates that Himanshu Gogoi’s acting abilities are not to be undervalued.
Reviews and Response
So far, the audience’s reaction has been fantastic. Everyone has applauded the captivating plot and exquisite portrayal of old Assamese history, including celebrities and the Assamese audience. Zubeen Garg, Joy Barua, and other well-known individuals attended the film’s screening and were reportedly happy with how it was done.
During the first week, Gulai Soor collected almost ₹3.75 crore in total. People continue to swarm movie theaters and post about the film on social media. Lately, it has become the buzz of the town.
Bottomline
In a nutshell, Gulai Soor is a fun movie with an intriguing plot that moves along at a steady pace. The actors’ charisma and the connection they develop between their roles are largely responsible for this movie’s appeal. It is the marking of the rise of Assamese movies and a must-watch for every Assamese to feel the roots and old tales of Assamese culture and history.

Rimjim Bora is a passionate researcher, writer, and storyteller. Being an Assamese, she takes pride in writing the vibrant stories of Assam, sharing its essence beyond the region. Contact Rimjim at rimjim@diversityassam.com.