While the Indian entertainment industry is still mourning the loss of legendary actor Dharmendra, who breathed his last on November 24, his death is far more tragic for former Bollywood actress Somy Ali, who now runs an NGO called No More Tears in Florida. She had the opportunity to work with the veteran actor in Mafia, and she credited him for shaping her life in ways very few ever see.

In a series of posts on her Instagram handle, she has shared how she is still unable to process his death. Her most recent post read, “My heart and mind are still unable to process this loss. He was way too good of a person for us to have lost. #rip Dharam ji. I miss you and will always love you. The best father a young girl could have ever wished for and one who was always there for me.”

The message in her post is more than a condolence. It’s from a girl who saw him as a father figure and an emotional anchor. It is a quiet reminder that behind the glitz and glamour of the silver screen, Dharmendra had touched many lives, including that of Somy.

Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89, a few days before his 90th birthday on December 8. He was recently admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai and was said to be recuperating at home. Known as the He-Man of Bollywood, his career spanned over six decades, during which he featured in about 300 films.