The usual enthusiasm in his voice was missing. On enquiring, he said: “Yes, I am not keeping well. I have viral fever. But I will be okay very soon.” Before I could express my disappointment over his ill health, Lele asked: “What is it that made you ring me up?”

Kiran More, Nayan Mongia and Anshuman Gaekwad at Lele’s funeral in Baroda yesterday. Pic/Dharmesh Parekh.