The death of one of Hindi mainstream cinema's most prolific and versatile writer Kader Khan has left filmmaker David Dhawan bereft.

"Bhaijaan, that's what I called him, was the backbone of my cinema. After we worked together for the first time in 'Bol Radha Bol', I couldn't think of directing a film without Bhaijaan. I wanted him to write and act in every film that I made, and I made sure it happened. But he was so busy.

Recalling Kader Khan's pervasive contribution, Dhawan said "He was not just a writer or actor. He was the backbone of every film. When Bhaijaan was in my film, I felt safe and secure. He was my go-to friend and ally in my projects. I would run to him if there was ever a problem in shooting.

After his health started failing, I had to work with others. But I always had Bhaijaan in my mind. I would tell my writers 'Yeh scene Kader Khan saab ke jaisa chahiye'. He has left a
vacuum in my career." Dhawan said: "He would rewrite a scene and the dialogue on the spot during shooting. He took every shot to another level. As a writer, he made every hero
sound credible and spectacular. Just look at Bhaijaan's contribution to Amitji(Amitabh Bachchan's) on-screen persona.

"His health started failing and he moved to Canada to be with his three sons and daughters-in-law. Bhaijaan and his entire family took Canadian citizenship, so it was only befitting that he be put to rest there."

"The worst blow to Bhaijaan's health was his loss of speech. The genius scholar who wove magic with words became wordless. I couldn't work with Bhaijaan in that condition. I could
deal with him being on a wheelchair. But I couldn't come to terms with Bhaijaan losing his voice. 

"Now in his death, our film industry has lost a prominent voice. The movies will never be the same.