SHAKTI SAMANTA (B. 1925)
Hindi director and producer born in Burdwan District. Science student; then assistant director on Raj Kapoor's Sunehre Dill (1949). Assisted and wrote scripts for Phani Majumdar (Baadbaan, Dhobi Doctor, both 1954). Early films include successful crime thrillers 1953- 63) in the Filmistan mould (Howrah Bridge, Detective,]aali Note) and classic Shammi Kapoor hits (China Town, Singapore), switching abruptly to love stories (1964-74) when he started working in colour (Kashmir Ki Kali). Best-known film: Aradhana, launching 70s superstar Rajesh Khanna and initiating a new version of the tragic love story formula. continued with A mar Prem and Amtraag. Has made Hindi-Bengali bilinguals (roughly 1975-85), starring Bengali star Uttam Kumar.Amanusb introduced the Hindi melodrama genre into 80s Bengali cinema, and its success led to a series of Bengali hits, e.g. Kanak Mukherjee's La! Kothi (1977), some made by non-Bengali directors, e.g. Batra Mohinder's Prahan' 0982) and Pramod Chakravarty's Teen Murti (1984). Bhimsingh's Ragam (1975) adapted his Anuraag. Currently produces films made by son Ashim Samanta (Main Awara Hoon, 1983; Palay Khan, 1986). Appointed chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification 1990).
FILMOGRAPHY: 1955: Babu; 1956: Inspector, 1957: Hill Station; Sheroo; 1958: Howrah Bridge; Detective; 1959: Jnsaan jaag Utha: 1960:jaali Note; Singapore; 1962: China Town; lsi Ka Naam Duniya Hai; Naughty Boy 1963: Ek Raaz; 1964: Kashmir Ki Kali; 1966: Sa wan Ki Ghat a; 1967: An Evening in Pan's, 1969: Aradhana; 1970: Kati Patang; Pagla Kabin Ka; 1971: A mar Prem; jaarw Anjane, 1972: Anuraag;; 1974: Ajnabi; Chan'traheen;Amanush; 1976: Mehbooba; 1977: Anand Asbram; Anurodh; 1979: The Great Gambler, 1980: Khwab; 1981: Barsaat Ki Ek Raat/ Anusa11dhan; 1982: Ayaash; 1984: Awaaz; 1985: Aar Paar/ An yay Abichar, Alag Alag: 1990: Dushrnan; 1993: Geetanjali.