Nana and I first worked together in ‘Khamoshi: The Musical’ [1996]. It was wonderful working with him in my first Bollywood movie. He was committed and passionate towards his work. When we would travel on the ferry together in Goa, we discussed only work; no gossip or chitchat. Nana was a good cook and would make great mutton curry. Despite being a vegetarian, I ate some by mistake, and he teased me how I was a vegetarian being a Bengali. 

We worked together again after 31 years in ‘Shakti Shalini’, and it was just the same — lots of creative discussions for the film’s betterment. He knew about each and every department of filmmaking and would have inputs on the same. What amazed me was the way he kept himself fit after so many years. In ‘Shakti Shalini’, his attire was simple — a dhoti, chaadar, and turban, yet he had one of the fittest physiques at 75. It’s impossible for me to believe that he is no more.