My first memory of Anik Dutta goes back to the initial stages of Bhooter Bhabishyat. He had reached out to me, saying he wanted me to play the role of a zamindar’s ghost. One day, he came to Technician’s Studio, where I was shooting at the time, with one intention – he wanted to hear me read the script aloud while he listened. Given my tendency of ribbing, I asked, “Tahole ami porbo, apni shunben, tarpore shabostyo korben?” My sense of humour has always been like that – I rarely distinguish between strangers and people I know. Back then, of course, I still addressed him as “apni”. To be honest, his “Ektu porun toh, shuni” unsettled me slightly. We had just met, and I had no idea then that this man would reveal himself to be such a gentleman.He also had certain personal traits while working. He would get excited often. Which is why we used to jokingly call him “Panic Dutta”. In fact, there were times when I even scolded him. But as a human being, he was so warm, transparent, and honest.There was a special reason why I grew so fond of him. I admired the ideals he walked with. He had a strong social conscience and a value system that is rare to find.His films carried important lessons. People weren’t laughing for no reason – they were being enriched by that laughter too. Giving joy to audiences is, of course, the primary responsibility of an artiste, but along with that comes another duty – to leave them with something meaningful. A creator whose audience spends money to watch his work also carries the responsibility of enriching them and stirring their consciousness. Theatre has always covered that space, but as a filmmaker, Anik Dutta carried that responsibility strongly within himself.I still cannot process his passing. I am in denial. I refuse to accept that Anik is no more. I truly have no other way to deal with it.I believe, altogether, he possessed more than half the qualities it takes to become a truly complete human being. This is why his passing feels profoundly tragic.Directors like Anik are rare now. I’ve worked with many, but I never had the opportunity to know most of them closely enough to understand their worldview