Nagaon: Assamese actor Guna Mahanta passed away on Monday at his residence in Nagaon in central Assam. He was 72.

Mahanta had been suffering from heart ailment for a long time and was undergoing treatment.

Mahanta's family on Monday said he had participated in a cultural programme on Sunday night and suffered severe chest pain on Monday morning. "We immediately arranged to bring him to a private nursing home. But he died on way to the hospital," said a family source.

The actor, who was a bachelor, rendered great contribution to the field of Assamese film industry during his lifetime. "He concentrated solely on film and the film-related work," said Satyajit Borua, a neighbour.

Mahanta was born in 1946 in Senchuwa (near Nagaon town) and completed his school at Hatichung. He later settled at Faujdaripatty in Nagaon town. His worked in more than 50 Assamese films.

"We have lost a guardian," said Saifuddin Ahmed, a film-industry worker.

Mahanta had entered the cinema industry rather late. "He came to the cinema only in 1994 through Chandra Mudoi's film Agnigarh. In most of films he had played the role of a father," said film critic Arun Lochan Das.

Ronangini, Xex Upohar, Prem Aru Prem, Morom Nodir Gabhoru Ghat, Ei Morom Tomar Babe, Maghot Mamonir Biya and Mitha Mitha Logonot are some of the films where Mahanta had acted.

He had acted in around 70 videos, a number of television serials and many plays. Togoror Biya, Griha Lakshmi, Anjana, Jetuka and Bogitora are some of the videos were he played a role.

Mahanta was invited to the bhramyoman (mobile) theatres by many renowned producers. But he refused to be a part of it. He also contributed regularly about socio-cultural events in newspapers.

Additional reporting by Rajiv Konwar in Guwahati