Thursday, April 16, 2009

RIP: Shakti Samanta (1926-2009)

Legendary Bollywood filmmaker succumbs to heart problems

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

One of the most sought-after Indian directors of the Bollywood film industry, Shakti Samanta, passed away at his home in Mumbai last Thursday (April 9), at the age of 83. The official cause of death was cardiac arrest, which he suffered while recovering from a stroke and a short illness.

The Calcutta University graduate (1944) had initially worked as a schoolteacher before he began pursuing acting in Hindi films, but ended up working as an assistant director to some of the top Indian directors, beginning in 1948.

In 1955 Samanta helmed his first feature film, Bahu, and followed that up with over 40 more up until 2002, including Inspector (1956), Howrah Bridge (1958), Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), An Evening in Paris (1967), The Great Gambler (1979), and his final film Devdas (2002).

Samanta, who established his own production company in 1957 (Shakti Films), also served as President of the Indian Motion Pictures Association, as well as Chairman for the Central Board of Film Certification and the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute in Kolkata. He's also accepted the Filmfare "Best Film" Award three times, for 1969's Aradhana, 1969's Anuraag, and 1975's Amanush.

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