For them he was a son of the soil, and news of actor-turned-politician Sunil Dutt's death plunged Mandoli village in Haryana which he considered his own into sorrow.

'Dutt Saheb', as he was known in and around his village, had maintained ties with the village and its residents despite making it big in the movie industry and in politics.

Dutt's family had migrated to Mandoli village in Yamunanagar district after the partition of India in 1947 from Pakistan.

Village elder Ram Singh said even though he visited the village only once in a few years, he showered them with affection.

"He was a humble man who was concerned about the country," Singh said.

The village's younger generation, most of whom had not seen Dutt in real life, also felt the loss in his passing away.

Villagers got together at a school to recount Dutt's visits to the village.

The family was that of agriculturists but Dutt had bigger plans for himself.

Only a few months ago Dutt and his film star son Sanjay Dutt had been honoured by the previous Om Prakash Chautala government of Haryana for bringing fame to the state.

Dutt, who had become the central sports minister then, could not take the award but his son collected it on his behalf.

Chautala Wednesday mourned the death of the illustrious son from Haryana saying Dutt was there to help everyone in the hour of need.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and other leaders cut across party lines to mourn the demise Dutt.