By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
‘साग़र कितना मेरे पास है,
मेरे जीवन में फिर भी प्यास है
है प्यास बड़ी जीवन थोड़ा
अमानुष बना के छोड़ा’
Shakti Samanta, unarguably stands as one of the most successful filmmakers of the 20th century Hindi Cinema, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Raj Khosla & Ramanand Sagar . His creations include suspense, social & musical hits like- ‘Howrah Bridge’, ‘Aradhana’, ‘Anuraag, ‘Amar Prem’ , ‘Kati Patang’ and ‘Amanush’. His passion for film making & execution of converting ideas into reality to stir emotions, was unrivalled.
Interestingly, like many of his genre, Shakti’s first passion was to become an actor. To fulfil his dream he reached Bombay in late 1940s; and instead became an assistant to Gyan Mukherjee director of “Jhoola” (1941), and super-hit ” Kismet” ( 1943) fame .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 Meharbaan” on Madhubala rendered by Asha Bhosle. 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 picturized 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 crispy 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 Shakila, 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 at the box office front.
‘है चाल में तेरी ज़ालिम, कुछ ऐसी बला का जादू
सौ बार सम्भाला दिल को, पर होके रहा बेकाबू
तारीफ़ करूँ क्या उसकी, जिसने तुम्हें बनाया’
The early 70s turned out to be the luckiest period in his career with “Aradhana”( 1969), “Kati Patang”( 1970) and ” Amar Prem”( 1971)- three hits in succession featuring Rajesh Khanna as hero followed by “Anuraag” (1972) with Moushumi Chatterjee making her film debut. The film won Filmfare Award for Best Film. “Aradhana” won 3 Filmfare Awards: Best Film ( Shakti Samanta ), Best Actress( Sharmila Tagore) and Best Male Playback ( Kishore Kumar). ‘Mere Sapno ki Rani’ and ‘Roop Tera Mastana’ were two hit numbers of the film. Asha Parekh won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for her role in ” Kati Patang’ in 1972. Shakti Samanta, on his part, won three Filmfare Awards for Best Film viz. ‘Aradhana’, ‘Anuraag’ and ‘Amanush’.
It would be injustice if we failed to mention “Anand Ashram”, a thought provoking social melodrama starring Uttam Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Sharmila Tagore, Moushumi Chatterjee, Rakesh Roshan, Utpal Dutt , Anita Guha & Asit Sen with some haunting numbers. Samanta remained President of the IMPPA for 5 years and Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification for 7 years. Died 9 April, 2009.
‘सारा प्यार तुम्हारा, मैने बाँध लिया है आँचल में
तेरे नए रूप कि नई अदा, हम देखा करेंगे पल पल में
सारा प्यार तुम्हारा, मैने बाँध लिया है आँचल में’
Born 13 January 1926.
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