Will Smith had recently lost his father, Willard Carroll Smith, which left him devastated in the process. However, he believes that filming Collateral Beauty – in which he portrays a man suffering a personal tragedy – has helped him cope with the loss.

He shared with People Now: “This has been one of the greatest confluences of life and art that I’ve ever experienced. Some of the issues that the character is dealing with are so profoundly perfectly timed for what I was experiencing in my life. It was just a fantastic opportunity to grow as an actor while I was growing as a man …

I think more than ever I see – and intellectually I’ve accepted [but] it’s still difficult emotionally – I understand that suffering is how we grow. Even in my life with Jada, like I’m a hopeless romantic, but romance is not love.

That’s not what love is. That fluffy, fancy, pretty stuff is actually anti-love. It keeps you away from love. Love is really born of surviving with somebody.”

The 48-year-old actor portrays an advertising executive who goes into hiding to cope with a personal situation. However, his friends attempt to help him with an unusual plan and encourage him to face his demons.

As the star’s father passed away, ex-wife Sheree Fletcher took to social media to share a heartfelt note.

While captioning an image of Will, his late father and her son Trey – whom she has with the actor – she shared via Instagram: “We’re gonna miss you Daddio! You lived & played by your own rules…you truly were 1 of a kind! You instilled discipline, and a work ethic that has created a legacy in your honor! (Pic left to right: Will Smith II; Will Smith III (Trey); Will Smith I (Daddio!) #RIPDaddio