The man who gave us Aradhana and Kati Patang
One of Hindi cinema's legendary directors Shakti Samanta passed away on April 9. He gave us some of the most beautiful films, but the younger generations may not realise his immense contribution. When Chief Correspondent
Syed Firdaus Ashraf met him at a film function five years ago, no one even recognised the great man. He was one of the first directors who discovered Europe's beauty in
An Evening In Paris long before Yash Chopra made Switzerland a popular tourist destination. We take a look at his best movies -- reasons why Shakti Samanta will always be missed.
Howrah Bridge, 1958 A murder mystery, starring Ashok Kumar and Madhubala, the film reminds you of the Hollywood classic
Casablanca in the way it was shot.
O P Nayyar made some brilliant music for it -- like Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu, picturised on Helen, and Aaye Mehrbaan, on Madhubala. Item numbers, if you can call it that, didn't look half as sexy as Helen's naughty dance in this film.
If Satyajit Ray discovered Sharmila Tagore in Apur Sansar, it was Shakti Samanta, who introduced this beautiful actress to Hindi cinema in Kashmir Ki Kali.
The film, also starring Shammi Kapoor, showed Kashmir in all its glory, and had a great story to tell as well.
O P Nayyar gave beautiful music once again. Subhaan Allah and Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra, both sung by Mohammed Rafi, were instant hits.
An Evening In Paris, 1967
The Shammi-Sharmila team got together once again in An Evening In Paris. Always one to experiment, Shakti Samanta was the first director to shoot an actor hanging out of a helicopter. In a romantic moment never captured on screen before, Shammi's character was trying to woo Shamila, who was water-skiing, by singing Aasman Se Aaya Farishta. And that was another first as well. Sharmila was one of the first heroines to wear a swimsuit, and look good in it
Aradhana, 1969
Aradhana made Rajesh Khanna a superstar overnight.
The story was unconventional, and showed Sharmila Tagore as an old woman -- something most actresses at their peak never dared to do. The film dealt with love, pre-marital sex, patriotism and lost and found love. It had beautiful music scored by S D Burman, with the song
Mere Sapno Ki Rani still inspiring commercials.
The song Baagon Mein Bahar Hai, sung by Mohammad Rafi, was one of the rare songs picturised on Rajesh Khanna, as most of his songs were sung by Kishore Kumar.
Kati Patang, 1970
Sharmila lost out a memorable role when she refused to do Kati Patang. Her loss turned out to be Asha Parekh's gain.
The songs -- like
Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai,
Pyaar Deewana Hota Hai, Yeh Shaam Mastani and
Jis Gali Mein Tera Ghar -- became an instant rage.
Shakti Samanta's favourite actor Rajesh Khanna starred in this film.
Amar Prem gave Rajesh Khanna some of his most unforgetable dialogues -- like the way he said 'Pushpa' and 'I hate tears.' The film told a simple story of a woman's fight to uphold her dignity. Shakti Samanta put life into it, making it one of the most memorable Hindi films of our times. That's why the songs have such beautiful lyrics by Anand Bakshi like Kuch Toh Log Kahen Ge, Logon Ka Kaam Hai Kehna, Yeh Kya Hua Kaise Hua and Chingari Koi Bhadke.
Amitabh Bachchan-Zeenat Aman-starrer The Great Gambler focused on, as the title says, gambling. Shakti Samanta shot the film extensively in Europe, and captured Venice beautifully. The film will always be remembered especially because of the song, Do Lufzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahani, sung by Asha Bhosle.
Once again, Shakti Samanta proved that he could make a wonderful film based a simple love story. Raakhi played a blind woman in love with Amitabh Bachchan, while Amjad Khan played the villain. The song Kaali Ram Ka Phat Gaya Dhol was a huge hit. Unfortunately for the director, he could not repeat his box office magic with Bachchan that he had with Rajesh Khanna. Shakti Samanta, it seemed, could not cater to the generation that loved the Angry Young Man. Barsaat Ki Ek Raat was his last film of significance, and soon, he stepped down from the limelight by making duds.
Edited by TallyHo - 16 years ago
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