MUMBAI: Film tourism event Locations 2005 felicitated veteran Bollywood director Shakti Samanta with the D.S. Mittal Award on 17 June. The man behind classics like Howrah Bridge, China Town and Aradhana was felicitated by veteran actor Prem Chopra and Asha Parekh.

Paying tribute to Samanta Chopra said, "I have had the privilege of knowing Shakti Samanta for the past 25-30 years. When I was a struggling actor while he did not cast me immediately in his films he encouraged me to keep trying. I have done my best work with him and I admire his patience and humour. He could make actors relax and we thus gave our best to the character. He will always be known as being an integral part of the classic era of Bollywood."

Chopra noted that there are few directors who could be equally comfortable in different genres like action, comedy, romance and drama. Samanta was one those filmmakers. Chopra said that Samanta was easily accessible to both actors and technicians over the years and what was unique was his ability to produce a series of hits over a sustained period of time. Chopra was also keenly involved with the music in his films. In fact he came to the film industry in the hope of writing and composing songs.

Samanta said that people have inspired his work over the years. He said that he had always been keen on people pointing out mistakes in his work so that the next time around the product would be improved. "It is because of the goodwill of my fans that I have been so successful," he said.

Sudhanshu Hukku the man behind Locations pointed out that the event has a tradition of honouring great and pioneering filmmakers who have defined what Bollywood cinema is and should be. "In the past couple of years we have honoured G.P. Sippy and B.R. Chopra. The aim of Locations is to bring together the two industries of film and tourism for a mutually beneficial role. I would like to thank our media partners Indiantelevision.com and trade Guide for joining us and for helping us move ahead."