We first met over 35 years ago. Back then, the industry was smaller and everyone knew everyone. However, it was only later that we became good friends, and over the years, our bond only strengthened. He’s one of the few close friends I had in the industry. He has of course also been my colleague, director and producer. We always used to address each other by our initials — I used to call him FK and he used to call me VK.

The industry has always had immense respect for him. To have worked here for five decades is not a small accomplishment. He not only established himself as an actor but was also an accomplished filmmaker. Feroz has given me some of my biggest hits, including Qurbani and Dayavan. He had a style so unique and vision so clear that most of his films have seen successful.

The charismatic actor was popular among all and was also known for his candidness and fearlessness. As a producer and director too, he shared a great rapport with his unit and was known to look after them. His sense of humour was what we most looked forward to on the sets. When meeting him, what was bound to strike you about him was that he was a voracious reader. His respect for all religions and cultures and his knowledge about them was admirable.

I remember, during Qurbani, we weren’t shooting together every day. But we would make it a point to drop by at each other’s house. No day was complete without meeting. We remained thick friends throughout — we lost touch only when I was at the ashram. But as soon as I returned, he was the first one to offer me work. I then did his Dayavan.

I may not have been able to be there in Bangalore today, but I’m glad I met him before I left for Punjab for the election campaign. He was in hospital and when I went to visit him, I told him that I didn’t like what I saw. He replied: ‘Kya karein, VK?’ I told him that he’s always been a fighter and he has to fight this too. And he did. To his last breath.

(As told to Dipti Nagpaul-D’Souza in Mumbai)