Somy Ali recalls her meeting with late Dilip Kumar: He was the kindest person I've met during my time in India

Legendary actor Dilip Kumar’s demise has sent the film industry, colleagues and fans into mourning. He was 98 and is survived by his wife, actor Saira Banu. While his incredible legacy lives on, Somy Ali says such is his charisma, style and dedication that generations of actors have “tried to extrapolate from his talent and methods of acting”.

“But even after putting in much effort, no one can even come close to what he was. His smile, calm and easy-going demeanour, smile, subtle expressions and those he pauses in his performance can never be matched. What the industry has lost, can never be compensated. He was not just as an actor, but as one of the most humble and kind souls. It’s devastatingly sad…,” says the actor-turned-humanitarian who runs an US based NGO No More Tears that assists and empowers ‘survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence’.