Comic star Mehmood died on July 23 in the United States after a long illness. His body was brought back to Mumbai on July 28 to allow his family, fans, and colleagues to pay homage. It will be flown to Bangalore for the last rites.

Mumbai's Mehboob Studio, where the body was kept through the morning on Wednesday, saw a good turnout from the Hindi film industry.

Masood Ali, Mehmood's eldest son, said: "I have become the head of the family now and I do not know how I will run it. Our family has been reunited by his death. We loved him and so have come together for him. After 25 years, I have got back my American mother [Tracy Ali] and my brothers. He always wanted us to be one.

"My father used to say that family members fight because there is love. There are so many people coming to see him. It means that so many people loved him.

"When I was born, my nose was like a pakoda. From that, I became Pakky. Then I became Pucky Ali. But my real name is Masood bin Mehmood Ali.

"My father could do comedy extempore, anytime. He always saw people's sadness. By looking at their sadness, he would forget his own. And that's how he made them laugh. There was no dearth of roles for him till he died.

"Smoking had damaged his lungs. I am grateful to Sunil Dutt Uncle who made it possible to bring his body easily to Mumbai. His only wish was to be buried next to his father.

"I am proud to be his son. Who am I? I am nothing."

In the picture: Lucky Ali (top, right), Pucky Ali (centre) with a grandson, and Lucky with director Tanuja Chandra (bottom, second from left) and Tracy Ali (right).

Reportage: Syed Firdaus Ashraf
Photographs: Jewella C Miranda, Arun Patil
Design: Uday Kuckian