'I can't believe Jagmohan Mundra is gone'

When news of filmmaker Jagmohan Mundra's passing away spread, several industry folk tweeted their condolences.

Actors Om Puri and Ananth Mahadevan were more elaborate, as they pay tribute here.

Om Puri: I was at the airport when I was informed of Jagmohan Mundhra's death. He was a fine man and filmmaker who knew his craft.

I worked with him on a very sensitive subject of Islam and terrorism in Shoot On Sight. It was the role of a radical Mullah. Not for a minute was I hesitant about playing such a volatile character. I was sure Jagmohan would handle it sensitively, and he did. Naseer (Naseeruddin Shah) and I shot for the film in London. Jagmohan made our stay there most comfortable. A good man. A warm human being. He was a gentleman.

Ananth Mahadevan: I worked with Jagmohan as an actor in Vishkanya and Kamla. He had cast me after seeing my play Aala Afsar.

He stood for over three hours in an over-packed performance of the play and then cast me. He has been my well-wisher ever since.

I often wondered why the director of Suraag, Kamla, Bawandar and Provoked needed to indulge in a Monsoon or an Apartment. But then, this film industry impels filmmakers to commit themselves to directing projects they aren't convinced about. It's a pity that films like Chase will be listed along with his superior works.

Jagmohan was a harmless softspoken giant of a man. He always had something to keep him happy. I last met him at the I Am Kalam premiere where he told me, 'At least we're still there while most of our contemporaries have stopped working.' I can't believe he's gone!