Legendary actor and politician Sunil Dutt who passed away earlier this week was regarded by one and all in the film fraternity as a generous, loving and kind person, always ready to lend a helping hand.

Amitabh Bachchan, who was cast by Sunil Dutt in his film "Reshma Aur Shera", recalled the by-now mythic generosity of the Dutts.

"It was actually Nargisji and Dutt Saab who were instrumental in getting me to Mumbai to try my luck in films. They treated me like a member of the family. Dutt Saab was the epitome of generosity and kindness. And to a newcomer these are qualities that go a long way in instilling much-needed self-confidence.

"When Dutt Saab cast me in his film 'Reshma Aur Shera', Raakheeji and I were both newcomers. But despite that, we were given absolutely equal treatment with the big stars while shooting on location in the Rajasthan deserts.

"I guess somewhere those values have remained with me. Today Sanju and his sisters have a father in me and a brother in Abhishek. And that's a bond we share unconditionally."

Karan Johar, who is in the US, cannot stop ruing the fact that he wasn't in India at a time when he needed to be near the Dutts.

"It's such a strange and depressing feeling. Dutt Saab died on my birthday. I woke up this morning to greetings from all my friends back home... and this devastating news. I know what it's like to lose your father. My hurt is still raw," he told over telephone.

"I can imagine what Sanju, Namrata and Priya are going through right now. In fact, I didn't call Sanju immediately after I heard the news about Dutt Saab. I know how ineffectual words of sympathy are at a time like this. We always say good things about those who are gone. We forget about their negative qualities and focus on the positive.

"But in the case of Dutt Saab it's really true. "He actually had no blemishes. My father (producer Yash Johar) always said he's one of the finest human beings in the film industry. In many ways he was like my own father, always there to lend a helping hand. Within the film industry he was like a father-figure. A true-blue messiah."

Aishwarya Rai, who's shooting in London for the film "Provoked", recalled Sunil Dutt with tremendous affection. "It's so sad. I woke up to this news. A true loss. Dutt Saab was always there for all of us. Anyone in any kind of trouble, and you know whom to dial," she said.

"I think the whole industry looked up to Dutt Saab as a guiding light. He was a true leader. I know it's a loss for all of us. But to Sanju, Namrata and Priya, it's much more than just a loss," she said.

Rahul Bose added: "In the last one year Dutt Saab and I had got to know each other. We met at the National Integration For Youth event in Delhi. Then we met again for the Dandi March. Dutt Saab caught my hand and we marched and released doves together.

"I told him there was too much media attention around him and that I must leave. He smiled and said, 'No, the media attention is around you.'"

Two days ago his son-in-law called on behalf of Dutt Saab to invite me to a football match May 27. And then, this! He was so young at heart. Dutt Saab amazingly committed. Our friendship had just begun to develop. Our common interests on communal issues and concern for the Andaman-Nicobar islands would have kept us bonded."