Tribute to a Great Director by his Greatest Star Discovery

Dilip Kumar Remembering Amiya Chakravarty

He was so mentally alert, so young, so full of life, and so refreshingly aggressive. That's the way he always was. 

Those who knew him well knew that beneath the hearty, blustering, rough exterior lay a kind heart. 

The occasion when we first met still lives in my mind. It was years ago, and I had come to Bombay Talkies and met Devika Rani. 

I was a novice at the time and did not know Mr. Chakrabarty. Nor did I realise the significance of that first meeting with him. 

Mr. Chakrabarty came in and spoke to me. He said nothing in particular. It was just casual conversation, and lasted a matter of minutes. Then he left me. Later I learned I was "in". 

Mr. Chakrabarty had taken no test, relying as always on his own judgement. 

When I started work, I was young. I was also very sensitive. The least harshness from anyone would have made me go out of films, and stay out for good. Mr. Chakrabarty was kind and always considerate to me. He showed a lot of understanding and care in his treatment of me. He gave the same attention to my work.