MUMBAI: Veteran Indian film producer and director Shakti Samanta passed away in Mumbai on 9 April, 2009. He was 83 years old.

His funeral will be held at the Santacruz crematorium at 10.30 am on 10 April.

Samanta directed his first feature film called Bahu in 1954 and followed it with films like Inspector, Sheroo, Detective and Hill Station.

The film that he made under his own production company – Shakti Films – was Howrah Bridge starring Ashok Kumar and Madhubala.

Some of the other films that he directed are China Town, Kashmir Ki Kali, An Evening in Paris, Aradhana, Amanush, Kati Patang, Amar Prem and The Great Gambler amongst others.

Pritish Nandy Communications will be re-creating three of his classics namely Howrah Bridge, Aradhana and Barsaat Ki Ek Raat in animation.