His tough exterior, baritone voice, impeccable dialogue-delivery and characteristic élan that made a significant presence on screen were not the only qualities associated with Amrish Puri.

Among many people who shared close emotional bonds with the veteran actor, and are now unable to get over his death, is Jackie Shroff.

A tearful Jackie said: "He was a wonderful person at heart, with a tough exterior but emotional inside. I was lucky to have him as a father in three films, first as a foster father in 'Hero', then as my doting father in 'Gardish' and the more recent 'Hulchul'.

"But it was during the shooting of 'Gardish' that I really got close to him and began to look upon him as a father figure. We developed such an excellent father-son bonding on screen that we almost mistook it for a real life bond. His death is a personal loss to me."

Some of Puri's colleagues and co-stars are unable to forget precious moments spent with him while shooting. They built long-lasting friendships with the veteran, who was often referred to as Mogambo after the villain he played in "Mr India".

Director Anil Sharma, who worked with Amrish Puri in "Tehelka", "Gadar" and "Ab Tumhara Hawale Watan Sathiyo", where he used Puri's voiceover, said: "I vividly remember the premiere of 'Ab Tumhare Hawale...' when he gave me a tight embrace and wished me good luck for the future.

"His were eyes full of emotion. That unforgettable moment will last in my memory forever. His death has woken me up to the fragility of life - here today, gone tomorrow."

Sharma said he and the actor would often talk about their families and the film industry. Only two days before Puri's death, the director had called up the actor's family to inquire about the 72-year-old's health.

"He had successfully undergone an operation and his family told me that he was in a very cheerful mood. In fact, he was humming a particular song that he loved all evening in the hospital. He was just not the kind to be bogged down by anything," tells Sharma.

According to Sharma, Puri was special because his charisma and strong screen presence.

"He went to great lengths to give each of his characters a distinct individuality. I can never forget his contribution to 'Gadar' and 'Tehelka'," said Sharma.