Producer Prerna Arora has the fondest memories of her interaction with veteran actor-filmmaker Manoj Kumar. “As a huge fan, it was my sincere wish to remake one of his most popular films, Woh Kaun Thi. I was told he wouldn’t like the idea, as he didn’t believe in remakes. But I was adamant. When I contacted him, he was so warm, welcoming, encouraging—and so knowledgeable. He was an encyclopedia on Indian cinema. Just listening to him was like reliving the golden era of our cinema,” says Prerna, visibly moved. The remake of Woh Kaun Thi, which originally starred Manoj Kumar, was to feature Shahid Kapoor in the lead role. “Sadly, the project never took off. But I got the chance to interact with one of the most brilliant minds in the film industry. As an actor, Manoj Sir was the handsomest, the most adorable. I can watch him endlessly in Woh Kaun Thi, Gumnaam, Hariyali Aur Raasta, Dus Numbri, and Purab Aur Paschim. He and Dharam Paji are, in my eyes, the handsomest actors in India. As a...