Award-winning film director Yasmin Ahmad (pic) has died from massive bleeding in the brain at the Damansara Specialist Hospital. She died at 11.25pm on Saturday. She had undergone surgery following her collapse at the TV3 headquarters Seri Pentas on Thursday.

Picture credit: The Star

News of her death had been pouring over the media including the internet so there’s no need for me to elaborate. What I wanted to share was my brief encounter with Yasmin when I bumped into her on my AirAsia flight from Kuching to KL back in May this year.

Being a celebrity she could’ve just ignored me but such a humble person she was, she greeted me while walking down the aisle towards her seat at the tail end of the aircraft.

Yasmin: “Dah makan?”

Me: “Belum. Tunggu sampai KL”

Yasmin: “I nak makan. Lapar! Nasi ayam dia sedap”. She smiled, promoting AirAsia’s chicken rice set.

Me: “Really? I’ll give it a try next time”.

Yasmin: “Ok, have a nice day”.

Me: “You too ..”

The following week, when I flew back to Kuching from KL, I tried the chicken rice as she had recommended. Not bad at all. That was our five seconds chat but her friendly and down to earth nature had struck me. The nation had lost a gem. She was a prolific director. One of a kind. May she rest in peace.