Sunil Dutt's admirers have not only run into the great man in varying circumstances all over the world, some have been fortunate enough to immortalise the moment on camera.
One cooked for him in San Francisco, another had lunch with him.
Had he been alive, Sunil Dutt would have turned 75 on June 6. On this special day, rediff.com publishes memories from rediff readers sharing their experiences with the great actor.
'A rare human being'
Bena Patel: I write this with a heavy heart, and with sweet and pleasant memories of Duttji. I have tears of sadness in my eyes today. I remember seeing him in Nairobi, Kenya, at the Bella-Vue Drive cinema, when he came there for the release of Waqt. He had a light role in the film.
Seeing him talking from the rooftop was quite an experience for me; I was just 12 years old then. He was fair and tall and, of course, slim. He left an everlasting impression in my mind of a how a truly handsome man looks. My condolences to his family.
'We were mesmerised by this great personality'
Varsha I Patel: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to write about my short yet fulfilling relationship with Sunil. He was much older than me and I respected him greatly. I always called him Sunil; I guess it is not considered disrespectful in America.
Later, when I travelled to meet him and sat in his office and called him Sunil, I was scolded by a total stranger who also happened to be there! Yet, I continued to call him Sunil as I felt very close to him and he enjoyed my American attitude.
I met him shortly after Nargisji's death in May or June of 1981, through his friend George Parvunanni, a German documentary filmmaker who then worked in San Francisco. I was born and raised there, after my father came to America in 1951 from Gujarat. George requested my my sister and me to make Indian food and bring it for Sunil.
George explained who he was and what happened. I was only 19 years old then and had freshly graduated from college; I felt very sad for Sunil. Since he was coming to San Francisco grief-stricken, I felt a human need to help fulfil George's request. Besides, I enjoyed cooking.
That evening was a great turning point for me. I had a longing to know India better and to reconnect with my ancestral country.
When Sunil told us about Nargisji's dream to help the poor and needy with medical treatments in India, I was totally sold on the idea and became the youngest member of the founding board for the West Coast Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation.
It was a growing and rewarding experience. I had many, many great conversations and moments with Sunil. It was great to be part of his passion for the various causes that he felt so strongly about and he let others and me help.
He was a charismatic speaker and a great humanitarian. He accepted everyone as they were. He was a great actor (of course), a great family man and he was like a father to me, although I called him Sunil. Today, he is very missed and, as a practising Jain, I believe his soul, energy and spirit are still with me. God bless his family.
Dr Asha and Dr Karim Haji: Yes, I have met Shri Sunil Dutt at his residence, with my husband and brother-in-law. He invited us for lunch. His demeanour was very humble and his home, very homely and modest. The lunch was very simple -- rajma, roti, sabzi and rice. His daughter was by his side.
My husband and I are physicians from the US. We talked about mobile vans for health care for the underprivileged. He had been running that mission for a while.
I pay my respects. I was humbled by my visit with him and will always cherish those memories forever. What a kind and gracious soul! May his soul rest in peace, and his good work continue. Our condolences to his family.
Ruqaiyah Cementwala: I live in Southern California. In 1990, I had the privilege of meeting Shri Sunil Dutt at Universal Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles. He was visiting it along with his son, Sanjay. I had a 15 minute conversation with him, talking about my past. I knew about him since my school days; his daughters went to the same school as I did in Bandra (suburban Mumbai).
It was a memorable event that I shall never forget; we took pictures and some video together.
Shri Sunil Dutt Saab was a great human being whose memory I shall always cherish.
