We shared a very intimate and personal bond. I still remember those days when newly-married Mujibur Rahman Dilu came to my Paltan residence with his wife. We used to live in a bungalow beside popular actor Raisul Islam Asad's house. Within just a few days, they became a part of my family.

Also, many do not know but he was an amazing cook, and my mother used to love him wholeheartedly for his humility and simplicity. Glimpses of him rehearsing his roles and the smell of his delicious dishes are still fresh in my memory.

Words fall short when I intend to describe his acting skills. His performance in the play "Ami Gadha Bolchi", where the artiste not only surprised everyone with method acting but also managed to present a beautiful adaptation of the drama, had made him the talk of the town at that time. I had the privilege to enjoy his stage performance multiple times.

His observation and the ability to absorb his character within his being is what has always amazed me. He went on to impress me with his performance when we worked together on many other projects, including the famed BTV drama serial "Laal Matir Kalo Dhoa", originally written by Selim Al Deen.

We were both freedom fighters and as I was a commander, he honoured and abided by me a lot. His patriotic conscience and love for art have been his driving force throughout his active years. He was never afraid to take up any work and his honestly and undaunted efforts to excel is what makes him unique.

Alongside acting, he served at Hotel Purbani and was also posted in Dubai for a while. However, that did not keep him from pursuing his passion for theatre. He was also the coordinator of the children's organisation Tunituni. We had arranged a big event on the 10th anniversary of this organisation where we had also invited foreign delegates from India. He balanced both sides perfectly and that's what I admire about him.

Dilu's punctuality was unparalleled. His sense of commitment and cultural attributes contributed to making every play or drama a rather memorable one.

The masses still remember him as Maalu from "Songsoptok" and his flawless performance in the film "Agami" where he shared the screen with legendary actors Pijush Banerjee, Aly Zaker and Rowshan. Dilu believed it is a great privilege for any artiste to live through his work. Today, both Aly Zaker and Dilu rest in peace but their legacy lives on. Every time I walk by a stage or start rolling a camera, Dilu will accompany me in my heart.