Last week Veteran Indian film producer and director Shakti Samanta passed away in Mumbai on 9 April, 2009. He was 83 years old. His funeral took place at the Santacruz crematorium at 10.30 am on 10 April. He died of heart failure at his suburban Santacruz residence. He was suffering from a brief illness, and recovering from a stroke he had suffered two months ago. The industry will never forget his contribution to Indian Cinema. May God rest his soul. In all, Samanta directed 43 feature films, including 37 Hindi, and 6 Bengali films. His best known films include Howrah Bridge, Kati Patang, Amar Prem, Aradhana, Anurodh, Amanush, China Town, Barsaat Ki Ek Raat, Kashmir Ki Kali and An Evening in Paris. He also received Filmfare Awards for “Best Film” for Aradhana, Anuraag and Amanush. He was also the former president of Indian Motion Pictures Association of India.
Film Career of Sakthi Samantha ::
After completing his education he came to Bombay(now Mumbai) to become an actor in Hindi films. But destiny made him an assistant director to directors like Gyan Mukherjee, Satish Nigam and Phani Majumdar at Bombay Talkies. Then he became a film director. Bahu was his first movie as a director. Soon after the success for his next few films, Inspector (1956), Sheroo (1956), Detective (1957) and Hill Station (1957), he started his own production company, called Shakti Films, in 1957. The first release of his banner was the murder-mystery Howrah Bridge, with Ashok Kumar and Madhubala in the lead roles. He also played an important role in establishing the career of Rajesh Khanna, the first super-star of Indian Cinema, with movie like Aradhana, Amar Prem and Kati Patang. Actually in 1969, Rajesh Khanna achieved overnight stardom with Shakti Samantha’s Aradhana, in which he played a dual role of father and son.
Some posters of his movies ::
Samanta’s contribution to the Hindi film industry is exeplary and incredible and he will be best remembered for his films like Howrah Bridge (1958), Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), An Evening in Paris (1967), Aradhana (1969), Kati Patang (1970), and Amar Prem (1971) to name a few. He was one of the first film directors who extracted the best from Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Shammi Kapoor, Asha Parekh and it was he who introduced Sharmila Tagore to the film industry.
The Shakthi Samanta-Super Star Rajesh Khanna pair will remain great for ever and their memorable classics like Aradhana – 1969, Kati Patang – 1970, Amar Prem – 1971, Anuraag – 1972, Ajanabee – 1974, Mehbooba – 1976, Anurodh – 1977, Ayash – 1982, Awaaz – 1984, Alag Alag – 1985 & Dushman – 1990. All movies with Super Star Rajesh Khanna was super hit movies and will hit for ever. `Samanta magic` with Rajesh Khanna didn`t work with Bachchan