'I've never seen such a decent human being'

Director Yash Chopra [ Images ] has shared a long association with Sunil Dutt. The actor memorably starring in Chopra's films Waqt, Faasle and Parampara.

The veteran director expresses anguish about Duttsaab's death in a brief interview with Patcy N .

I didn't believe it when you called me that Duttsaab is no more.

I travelled with him just a month ago to Delhi [ Images ]. I knew Duttsaab for more than 51 years. It is such a long friendship; people don't remain friends for so many years.

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He was such a wonderful human being. As an artist, as a producer, as a director, as a husband, as a father and as a friend, you can't find such integrity, honesty and sincerity. He went for a padh yatra (rally) from Mumbai [ Images ] to Amritsar [ Images ] (in 1988), not for personal gain, but because he believed he should do so for the peace of the country. In whatever he did -- politics or films -- he was sincere.

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Jo bhi filmo mein kaam kiya voh bilkul lagan se, dil se kiya; un par koi daag nahi laga sakta. (Whatever he did in films, it was with great dedication, and from the heart; no one can reproach his sincerity) He gave his best to films.

I first met him when we were trying to sign him for Ek Hi Rasta. At the time, he used to work in radio. Then I met him at a studio in (Mumbai's) Peddar Road. After that, we were very close friends. We worked in so many films together. I was an assistant to my brother (director B R Chopra) for Ek Hi Rasta and then Sadhana.

If I told Duttsaab what work (I needed him to do), he was always ready, even for a guest role.

I have never seen such a decent human being.