Guwahati: Tapobrata Barua, one of the most successful producers in Assam and the man behind the mega hit Assamese film Bowari, passed away in the wee hours on Tuesday in New Delhi.

He was 74.

Barua, who hailed from Upper Assam's Golaghat town, is survived by his wife and veteran actor Mridula Barua.

He was under treatment for the last three months in New Delhi.

Family members said he was suffering from cardiac ailment and had lung infection.

Barua was undergoing treatment at AIIMS.

On Monday night, he was in Assam House when he complained of chest pain.

"As his condition deteriorated rapidly, we rushed him to Moolchand Medcity Hospital in Lajpat Nagar, very close to Assam House where he breathed his last at 3am," C.K. Barua, one of his relatives, told this correspondent.

Asam Sahitya Sabha condoled the death of Barua. In a statement, it said with the demise of the producer, Assam has lost a cultural icon.

Barua produced Bowari in 1982 which made him famous in the film industry.

He also produced nearly 50 programmes for Doordarshan Kendra, Guwahati.

Bowari did good business in cinemas and helped the director, the male and female leads and the producer establish themselves in the industry.

Songs such as Mon Hira Doi... Chaikel Nahai Tilinga... became an evergreen number in entire Assam.

Producer Manabendra Adhikari said: "In his life he produced one feature film, but it changed the film industry. As a friend I know he was planning to produce another film."