Born to Bhuyan Mahalia and Numali Mahalia at Diplonga village near Sootea in Sonitpur district on November 1, 1946, Jones Mahalia matriculated from the Soothe High School in 1964 and did his graduation from Arya Vidyapith College, Guwahati. He obtained his diploma in film direction at the Pune-based Film and Television Institute in 1971. Mahalia was admitted to the hospital following kidney problems on January 31. His condition deteriorated and he suffered a cardiac arrest. Mahalia's first film, Duranir Rang (1979) which he both directed and produced and established him as a filmmaker with repute. The next film, Bahagar Duparia another major hit came in 1984. He did a Bodo film in 1991, which was followed by another film, Jugantarar ...