From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Shakti Samanta
Shakti Samanta
[2] and after the success for his next few films, Inspector
Shakti Samanta
(1956), Sheroo (1956), Detective (1957) and Hill Station
(1957), he started his own production company, Shakti
Films, in 1957, and the first release of his independent
banner was the murder-mystery Howrah Bridge, with
Ashok Kumar and Madhubala as the lead, with its croon-
ing number ’Aaiye Meherbaan’ with music by O. P. Nay-
yar, sung by Asha Bhosle in a notable Geeta Dutt style,
and picturised on Madhubala became a rage, and the film
a breakthrough hit; this was a turning point.[3][4]
In all, Samanta directed 43 feature films, including 37
Hindi, and 6 Bengali films. His best known films include
Howrah Bridge, China Town, Kashmir Ki Kali and An Evening
in Paris. He is credited for starting the trend of making
double version films in Hindi and Bengali with Amanush
in 1974, and also made the first co-produced film be-
tween India and Bangladesh in 1984.
Samanta was among the directors who worked with
Born 13 January 1926(1926-01-13)
Burdwan, British India
Shammi Kapoor in the late 50’s and up to mid 60’s, then
with Rajesh Khanna, creating a number of classics such
Died 9 April 2009(2009-04-09) (aged 83) as "Aradhana","Kati Patang" and "Amar Prem". However,
Mumbai, India
his movies with Amitabh Bachchan were not major
hits.[5]
Shakti Samanta (Bengali: শিক্ত সামন্ত) (13 January 1926 – On some of his films, his brother and wife were pro-
9 April 2009) was an Indian film director and producer, ducers. He also produced some of the films that his son,
who founded Shakti Films in 1957, which is most known Ashim Samanta directed.[6] In 1985, Shaktu Film estab-
for films like Howrah Bridge, China Town, Kashmir Ki Kali, An lished ’Aradhana Sound Service’, a digital audio post-pro-
Evening in Paris, Kati Patang and Amar Prem.[1] duction facility which works both for Bollywood as well
He received Filmfare Awards for Best Film for Arad- as Hollywood films.[3]
hana, Anuraag and Amanush, which was also made in Ben- Three of his classics, Howrah Bridge, Aradhana and
gali, a language in which made six films, including a Indo- Barsaat Ki Ek Raat, starring Amitabh Bachchan and
Bangladesh joint production in 1984. Raakhee, are to be turned into animation films by ’Pritish
Nandy Communications’ [7]
Early life and education Samanta died of cardiac arrest at his suburban San-
tacruz residence at approximately 5pm on 9 April 2009.[8]
Born in Burdwan West Bengal, he received his education
He was suffering from a brief illness and recovering from
at Dehradun, staying with his uncle. He graduated in 1944
a stroke he had suffered two months ago.
from Calcutta University.
Career Awards and recognition
Samanta received Filmfare Awards for "Best Film" for
After completing his education he wanted to become an
Aradhana, Anuraag and Amanush.[9] He has also received
actor in Hindi film industry at Bombay, so moved closer
several Lifetime Achievement awards, including the Zee
to the city. He took a school teacher’s job in Dapoli, about
Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2002 and several
200 kilometres from Mumbai.[2] He eventually joined the
other awards from Zee and other Indian organizations.
film industry in 1948 as an assistant director to directors
Some of his films have been shown at international festi-
like Gyan Mukherjee, Satish Nigam and Phani Majumdar
vals in Berlin, Tashkent, Moscow, Cairo and Beirut.
at Bombay Talkies.
Samanta was President of the Indian Motion Pictures
Samanta directed his first feature film, Bahu in 1954,
Producers Association for 5 years,[10] Chairman of the
starring Karan Dewan, Usha Kiron, Shashikala and Pran
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Shakti Samanta
Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for 7 years and
was Chairman of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television In-
References
stitute, Kolkata for 2 years. [1] "Reinventing itself". Screen. Dec 12, 2008.
http://www.screenindia.com/news/Reinventing-
itself/396722/. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
Filmography [2] ^ Golden banner Rajiv Vijayakar. Screen, 11 July
• Bahu (1955) 2008.
• Inspector (1956) [3] ^ Five decades of Shakti Films Screen, 12 December
• Hill Station (1957) 2008.
• Sheroo (1957) [4] Turning the pages of film history The Hindu, Friday,
• Howrah Bridge (1958) 1 September 2000.
• Detective (1958) [5] Shakti Samanta - Films as director: 43
• Insaan Jaag Utha (1959) [6] Great Gambler Screen.
• Jaali Note (1960) [7] PNC to remake 3 classics in animated form Business
• Singapore (1960) Standard Reporter / Mumbai 17 August 2007.
• Naughty Boy (1962) [8] Veteran film-maker S Samanta passes away The
• China Town (1962) Times of India Friday, 10 April 2009
• Ek Raaz (1963) [9] Awards Internet Movie Database.
• Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) [10] Shakti Samanta elected IMPPA president Indian
• Sawan ki Ghata (1966) Express, Wednesday, 30 September 1998.
• An Evening in Paris (1967) [11] Shakti Samanta - Filmography Upperstall.com.
• Aradhana (1969)
•
•
Kati Patang (1970)
Pagla Kahin Ka (1970)
External links
• Jane Anjane (1971) • Shakti Samanta at the Internet Movie Database
• Amar Prem (1971) • Shakti Samanta Panorama at Indian Auteur
• Anuraag (1972) Persondata
• Charitraheen (1974)
Name Samanta, Shakti
• Ajnabee (1974)
• Amanush (1975) Alternative names
• Balika Badhu (1976) Short description Film director
• Mehbooba (1976) Date of birth 13 January 1926(1926-01-13)
• Anurodh (1977)
Place of birth Burdwan, British India
• Anand Ashram (1977)
• The Great Gambler (1979) Date of death 9 April 2009(2009-04-09) (aged 83)
• Khwab (1980) Place of death Mumbai, India
• Barsaat ki Ek Raat (1981)
• Alag Alag (1985) [11]
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakti_Samanta"
Categories: 1926 births, 2009 deaths, Bengali film directors, Cardiovascular disease deaths in India, Deaths from heart
failure, Filmfare Awards winners, Films directed by Shakti Samanta, Hindi-language film directors, Indian film direc-
tors, Indian film producers, People from Bardhaman district, University of Calcutta alumni
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