Art director Samir Chanda dies

The art director and production designer, breathed his last at a hospital in Mumbai this evening, his family said.

Chanda had won the National Film Award for best art direction thrice in his 32-year-old career.

"It is with deep regret that I convey the tragic news of the demise of my dear friend and reputed art director Samir Chanda a few hours back of a heart failure," director Sangeeth Sivan said.

A favourite of celebrated film director Mani Ratnam, Chanda was best known for works in films like 'Guru', 'Omkara', 'Rang De Basanti', 'Dil Se', 'Aks', 'Raavan', 'Krrish' and 'Ram Lakhan'.

Besides trying his hand in directing once with the Mithun Chakraborty starrer Bengali film 'Ek Nadir Galpo' (Tale of a River), he had also worked in Bengali films like 'Kaalbela', 'Kalpurush' with the latest being 'Moner Manush'.

Chanda, whose work was synonymous with authenticity and detail, has closely worked with some of geniuses of the Indian film industry like Mrinal sen, Shyam Benegal, Mani Ratnam, Vishal Bharadwaj and Omprakash Mehra.

A trained painter from Calcutta Art College, Samir's vast training and understanding of Indian art and architecture ranged from the recreation of sets from the 10th century to the modern contemporary world.

"We have worked together many times. He was a very good person and had a creative head. It will be difficult for the industry to get a man like him," said film director Buddhadeb Dasgupta.

Filmmaker Goutam Ghosh, who was to make his upcoming film with Chanda, too expressed regret at the news.

"I am in deep pain after hearing this. He was very down to earth despite being in the glamour world," he said, adding that it will be a tough job for him to find his replacement in the film.