Guwahati: Assam's evergreen actor Biju Phukan was cremated with full state honours here on Thursday afternoon but his "last" project, a family drama, will see the light of day.

Jatin Bora, renowned actor and director of Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation Limited, to whom Biju da was a godfather, told The Telegraph at the Nabagraha crematorium here that he had visited the ailing actor, who died at Apollo Hospitals here on Wednesday evening at the age of 70, five days ago.

"Biju da told me that he was ready with the script of a family drama in which he would play the father and I the son. He said it would be his last project. He is no more but we will make the film under ASF(F&D)C banner," he said.

Hrishikesh Goswami, media adviser to the chief minister, said, "I shared a personal rapport with Biju da. He has contributed immensely to our films and culture. The government will definitely do something to acknowledge his contribution." Goswami, who attended the funeral with culture and sports minister Naba Kumar Doley, did not reveal the specifics but sources said the government, besides preserving his work, may launch a project in his memory.

The last journey of Phukan, who had acted in over 50 films during a career spanning over four decades, started from his Panjabari flat at 9am and reached the Nabagraha crematorium at noon. Hundreds from the film fraternity, administration, his family, bid him a teary farewell.

On the way, his body was taken to the ASF(F&D)C, Jyoti Chitraban studio, Rabindra Bhawan and Swahid Nyas of AASU. His cortege went past the statues of Bhupen Hazarika and Radha Gobinda Baruah, prompting fan Joor Baruah to say: "I would like a statue for my idol one day". Most at Nabagraha agreed.