India, April 4 -- Producer Ashok Pandit was the first person to call Manoj Kumar and inform him about being chosen for prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award in 2015. As the world mourns the loss of legendary actor on Friday, Ashok remembers the call he made.

Ashok, who has been a close friend of Manoj all these years said, "I have been a regular visitor at his house. Me, Madhur Bhandarkar and Anupam Kher used to go there and chat with him. He couldn't stand and sit because his back was hurt. He used to call me 'Pandit'."

With fondness and nostalgia in his voice, Ashok says, "I got to know early morning through my people in Delhi that he is going to get Dadasaheb Phalke award and immediately called him."

Manoj, who has given memorable film...