‘‘What do I say? He’s gone. my brother, my friend, my true guide is gone. There is nothing left. As I witness his body going up in flames and his spirit into the infinity, I see his cinema becoming immortal. Goldie was an intellectual. He was a fine person. He was also very outspoken. sometimes he could be cruel, but he knew his mind and he listened to his heart. I rarely break down but today when television cameras came down on me and asked how I felt, I couldn’t help it. I feel nothingness. But it’s temporary. I know I have to move on and smile again. For the past three days, I was with Goldie, praying for him. I don’t know whether my prayers helped or not, but I think he’s okay wherever he is. The one who goes away is always okay. those who are left behind are never the same. Goldie was making a film called Jaana Na Dil Se Door which is a tribute to our late brother Chetan. It was my last film with him as an actor. Today, the film’s title has taken on an altogether new meaning. It’s for the audience to judge whether I was my best as an actor with Goldie. But he was a fine director. We were the best team. I was completely relaxed with him. At work, he forgot that I was his elder brother. Very clear about what he wanted, he would never be satisfied with anything less. People say Guide was his best. I don’t think he felt that because then he wouldn’t have made any more films. All his films are for the world to see and that’s the biggest reward and award for a filmmaker. The moment is over. It’s time to close a chapter, begin a new one. Goldie wanted his son Vaibhav to act. The family will see what we can do about it.’’ (As told to Harneet Singh)
