A veteran actor, screenwriter, theatre personality and comedian Kader Khan breathed his last on December 31, 2018, in Canada after suffering from a prolonged illness. He was a prolific actor who doubled up as a dialogue and screenwriter par excellence.

We remember him essaying diverse roles both positive, negative as well as a comic act. However, very few know that the actor who came from extremely humble beginnings had once rebuked Dilip Kumar for being on time as the thespian had expressed a desire to see his play.

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[caption id="attachment_191654" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Kader Khan in a still from his film[/caption]

In an interview given to a leading entertainment magazine, Kader recalled the time when Dilip Kumar expressed his desire to watch his hit play Taash Ke Patte (during his stint as a teacher). Kader said, “I was teaching when a peon came and told me that there was a call for me. The voice said, ‘I’m Yusuf Khan, I’m known as Dilip Kumar’. The phone fell off my hands. He said he wanted to see my show. I replied, ‘I’m honoured. But we theatrewallahs have some usool (principles). You’ll have to come before the curtains rise. Secondly, you cannot leave once the play is on’. He replied, ‘I like your attitude’. And as promised he came before time and watched the entire play. He was in tears. He came on stage and told the audiences about our dialogue. He also announced that he was offering me a role in Sagina.”

Rest, as they say, is history, Kader went on to do a prolific job in Bollywood. His demise has left a deep void in the film industry which can never be filled.