Shah Rukh Khan, the megastar actor who began his career in showbiz with a Doordarshan series Fauji in 1989, paid heartfelt tribute to the maker of the show, Col Raj Kapoor, who passed away on the night of 10 April 2019.

It was the 1988 show directed by Col Raj Kapoor, who had began his career in the Army, that give the Hindi film industry one of its biggest stars who, interestingly, went on to play ‘Raj’ in most of his hit flicks.

For Fauji, Col Kapoor has initially thought of casting Shah Rukh Khan as the second lead. But he was later given the main lead – Abhimanyu Rai. Shah Rukh Khan, as the cliche goes, never looked back from there.

The actor, who is a veteran now, took to Twitter on Friday to share a message for his first-guru in the industry.

“He loved me so much. Encouraged me. And today if I am used to being mollycoddled on sets it’s because of this man who made a ‘Fauji’ out of a boy, like his own. Will miss you Sir…always. May u find peace in ur new mission.”

He loved me so much. Encouraged me. And today if I am used to being mollycoddled on sets it’s because of this man who made a ‘Fauji’ out of a boy, like his own. Will miss you Sir…always. May u find peace in ur new mission. pic.twitter.com/j6LKM2MJpV

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 12, 2019

To his post, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur responded: “Yes, I remember well the day the ‘Colonel’ brought you to my house during Faujj. ‘Watch this young man’ He said. And he was so right. What a wonderful compassionate man @iamsrk”

Yes, I remember well the day the ‘Colonel’ brought you to my house during Faujj. ‘Watch this young man’ He said. And he was so right. What a wonderful compassionate man @iamsrk https://t.co/038qJ1Ma3v

— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) April 12, 2019

Khan, all nostalgic, wrote back to the Bandit Queen director that Col Kapoor was among those people who in the “midst of all stresses had a way that could make you smile away your troubles”.”One of those people u assumed will never leave your side cos he was so full of life,” he continued.

And he was so jovial. Somehow in the midst of all stresses he had a way that could make u smile away ur troubles. One of those people u assumed will never leave your side cos he was so full of life . https://t.co/puJxjA2k2B

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 12, 2019

Shekhar Kapur suggested they “raise a toast” to the colonel and hope they came across more people like him, should they be lucky. He also complimented Khan for taking some time out from his busy schedule to remember the man so fondly, .

Yes. Generous too. Let’s just raise a toast to Colonel Kapoor. And hope we come across more like him. If we are lucky. It’s wonderful that you amongst the million things you are busy with, remembered him so fondly @iamsrk https://t.co/a6oNfCNT5k

— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) April 12, 2019

Colonel Raj Kapoor is also fondly remembered by some as the “ketchup” man for popularising the 1985 Volfarm tomato ketchup ad with his “ketchup hota kaddu bhara” dialogue.