By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
रूप तेरा मस्ताना प्यार मेरा दीवाना
रूप तेरा मस्ताना प्यार मेरा दीवाना
भूल कोई हमसे न हो जाये
On His Birth Anniversary
Shakti Samanta is a name to reckon with in the Hindi films as a producer director who directed musical, suspense and social films with the same passion and authority. His masterpieces include ‘Howrah Bridge’, ‘Aradhana’, ‘Anuraag, ‘Amar Prem’ , ‘Kati Patang’ and ‘Amanush’. Shakti’s first passion was to become an actor and to fulfil his dream he landed in Bombay in late 1940s; and instead became an assistant to Gyan Mukherjee famous for directing “Jhoola” (1941), and super-hit ” Kismet” ( 1943) .He did a few films as an assistant director before setting-up his own production house ‘Shakti Films’ in 1957. The same year he ventured to direct “Howrah Bridge” known for picturization of an exotically sensuous club number “Aaiye Meherbaan” on Madhubala in the voice of Asha Bhonsle.The other memorable song was ” Mera Namm Chin Chin Choo” sung by Geeta Dutt, picturized on Helen. A song “Gora Rang Chunariya Kali Motian Wali, Ke Dil Mera ” was also picturised on Mahmood and his sister Minoo Mumtaz, composed by O.P. Nayyar.
In 1964 Shakti Samanta produced and directed ” Kashmir Ki Kali” starring Shammi Kapoor and newcomer Saira Bano,a musical hit with many crsispy and scintillating songs like ‘Kahin Na Kahin Dil Lagana Padega’, ‘Taarif Karoon Kya Uski Jisne’ , ‘Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra ‘ , ‘Isharon Isharon Men Dil Lenewale and ‘Diwana Hua Badal.In between he produced and directed ” Insaan Jaag Utha” (1959), “Jaali Note” and “Singapore'( 1960) and ” China Town ” ( 1962) featuring Shammi Kapoor and Shakeela, another crime-thriller. “An Evening In Paris” ( 1967) was another successful film featuring Sharmila Tagore in a swim-suit. Exotic locations, haunting music coupled with racy screenplay were the other factors adding to its success on the box office
