Jagdeep Sidhu pays heartfelt tribute to actor Kaka Kautki

Punjabi actor Kaka Kautki died on 26 November 2021 after suffering a heart attack. The actor's sudden death had shocked the industry.

Remembering Kautki, Lekh (2022) writer Jagdeep Sidhu penned a tribute on Instagram, sharing a few photographs of the actor from the shoot of the upcoming Punjabi film starring Gurnam Bhullar and Tania.

He wrote: LEKH. Last din shoot da. Ek important scene c. Kaka baai theek nahi c. Mainu lagya scene nu rewrite kar lena. Baai nu kad dina baai to hona ni. Sade DOP Ravi sir kehnde, “Itna achha scene hai, kyu change kar rahe ho sir. Wide me rakh lenge jayada scene, manage karte hai.“ Assi oh scene fer Kake baai naal hi kita. Edit te bhut sohna nikal k v aaya. Par ki pata c ke Kake baai de safar da oh aakhri scene c. Hun lagda hai je baai nu ode cho kad dinda taan kina afsos hona c. Te kade khayal aaunda hai v shayad je kad dinda taan kalakaar kol ek scene layi zindgi hor bach jandi. Scene khatam hunde baai mere kol aa ke puchh da hai, “Baai apna kal ki aa?“ Main jawab dina aa, “Kal kuchh ni baai.“ Baai fer puchh da hai, “Koi montage vagera?" Mere muho nikal da hai, “Nahi baai. Thoda character khatam ho gaya. Bus hun thoda pack-up aa.“ Te fer agle din rab di film cho baai da character sachi khatam ho gaya. Baai nahi reha. Apne muho nikle eh shabad hamesha dukh den ge. Miss you baai. Jede scene aapa hason layi banaye c hun ona ne rawona eh. Jithe v eh rab kare tere hisse diya taliya tere tak pahunchan. Alvida baai.

In the post, Sidhu recounted the last day of Kautki's schedule for Lekh and the filming of what turned out to be the final scene of the actor's career.

Lekh teaser: A romantic tale of young love starring Gurnam Bhullar and Tania

Remembering the day, he wrote that as Kautki was not feeling too well, he had thought the scene would have to be rewritten, but the cinematographer said it was lovely and should be included as written. He offered to use a wider shot and manage it. Encouraged, the unit shot the scene again with Kautki, which came out beautifully, but little did they know that this would be the last scene to be filmed by the actor.

After completing the scene, Kautki asked Sidhu about the following day’s schedule, to which the writer replied that it was pack-up for the actor as his part was done. Expressing his dismay at having said that with such finality to Kautki, Sidhu wrote that he had no idea about the import of his words at the time.

Lekh will be released in theatres on 1 April. The film is directed by Manvir Brar.