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 [ Images ].

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

Samanta was also the former president of India [ Images ]n 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.