Roger Ebert, one of America’s most revered and feared critics, cannot speak. He has lost his voice to cancer. Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui discovered this when he flew down to Ebert’s hometown Illinois to attend Eberfest, Roger Ebert’s annual film festival, where he invites filmmakers to screen their works, this month.

In a moving tribute Ebert ‘spoke’ on stage about Siddiqui’s work. Moved, the actor says, “He has lost his voice and the bottom of his face is gone. But his passion for cinema remains the same. Mr Ebert actually gives speeches on stage. He lip syncs to pre-recorded speeches.”