Samir Chanda's death is a complete shock: Priyanka Chopra

MUMBAI: Critically acclaimed art director Samir Chanda passed away on Thursday evening following a massive heart attack. Chanda, who worked with the likes of Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal, Mani Ratnam, Govind Nihalini, Kalpana Lajmi, Vishal Bhardwaj, Rakesh Omprakash Mehra and Pankaj Kapur, had been associated with movies like "Kharij", "Aks", "Raavan", "Bose The Forgotten Hero", "Guru", "Rang De Basanti", "Kaalpurush", "Krishna", "Omkara", "Saat Khoon Maaf" and "Yatra", among others.The National Award winning Chanda has also directed a film titled "Ekti Nodir Golpo" starring Mithun Chakraborty.
Goutam Ghose, with whom Chanda worked in "Yatra", was shocked with the news. "I have just heard the news and am extremely disturbed. This week has been really bad. First, I heard about Tareque Masud’s death. Now, it’s Samir. I can’t deal with so many news of death of my close ones."
Bedabrata Pain, the director of "Chittagong", says, "I was very close to Samirda. He believed in me and "Chittagong" and practically worked for free. He really made the film happen. I just spoke to him the day before and now he is gone."
Meanwhile, micro blogging sites have also seen many celebrities paying their tribute to Chanda. Writes Priyanka Chopra: "RIP Samir Chanda. Had the good fortune of knowing the incredible man he was in Kaminey and Saat khoon maaf. Thank u for always believing in me. This is a complete shock.. there is a song... "only the good die young" by Billy Joel .. U will always be remembered." (sic)
Actor Siddharth writes: "Art director Samir chanda passed away this evening. Wonderful creator, beautiful human
being. Gone too soon. Rest in peace dada. Miss you."
Director Shirish Kunder, on his part, writes: "RIP Samir Chanda. Was working with him on JOKER. We just met last evening to discuss designs for next schedule. Am shocked!"
Writes director Anant Mahadevan, "Actor Shammi Kapoor, Art director Samir Chanda, composer Johnson, all left within a week...dark phase for the show world."