Noted filmmaker Shakti Samanta dies

Noted Hindi filmmaker Shakti Samata on Thursday passed away after a brief illness. He was 83.

"He passed away at around 5 pm at his suburban Santacruz residence. He was recovering from a stroke which he suffered over two months ago," a family member said.

Samanta had produced box-office hits like Kati Patang, Amar Prem and Aradhana starring Rajesh Khanna.

His funeral would be held at Santacruz crematorium at 11 am on Friday, the family member said.

Samanta was also the former president of Indian Motion Pictures Association of India. "Samanta was recovering after suffering a stroke. He had a clot in his brain but was not operated upon for the same," the family member said.