MUMBAI: The Minister of Information & Broadcasting Ambika Soni inaugurated the retrospective of Shakti Samanta Films on 10 July at Siri Fort Auditorium II, New Delhi.

Director and son of late Samanta, Ashim Samanata was the Keynote Speaker. Shakti Samant’s award winning film Amar Prem was screened at the inaugural function. Samanta, passed away on 9 April, 2009.

He directed his first feature film in 1954 and started his own production company, Shakti Films, in 1957. In all, Samanta has directed 43 feature films: including 37 Hindi and six Bengali films.

Some of this best known films are: Howrah Bridge, China Town, Kashmir Ki Kali, An Evening in Paris, Aradhana, Kati Patang, Amar Prem, Anuraag, Amanush, Barsaat Ki Ek Raat and Mehbooba.

Samanta is credited for starting the trend of making double version films in Hindi and Bengali with Amanush in 1974. Shakti Samanta also made the first co-produced film between India and Bangladesh in 1984.

Five of Samanta’s best know films Howrah Bridge, Kati Patang, Amanush, Kashmir Ki Kali and Anurag will be screened on 11 and 12 July.