New Delhi: In a career spanning four decades across Hindi and Marathi cinema, Nana Patekar appeared in Tamil cinema only twice, 10 years apart — first in a 2008 murder mystery, Bommalattam, and later in a 2018 Rajinikanth-starrer, Kaala.
Today, as news of Patekar’s death surfaced, Rajinikanth paid tribute to his Kaala co-star and friend.
“I can’t believe my dear friend Nanaji is no longer with us. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace,” he wrote in a post on X.
Patekar died at the age of 75 following a cardiac arrest.
Bommalattam
Patekar made his Tamil debut 10 years ago with the 2008 film Bommalattam. He played Rana, an eccentric film director who becomes a suspect after a series of murders take place during the making of a film. Arjun Sarja played the investigating officer.
Directed by Bharathiraja, the film was based on a true incident in Hampi. After casting Patekar, Bharathiraja decided to shoot the film in both Hindi and Tamil. It was launched in Malaysia in 2006 under the Hindi title Cinema and the Tamil title Bommalattam.
Bharathiraja later recalled that he and Patekar frequently disagreed during filming, but said the actor appreciated the finished film.
“On many occasions he drove me up the wall. But he is a fantastic actor. I learnt acting from him. He simply lives the role and has terrific screen presence, and an amazing voice. We had many differences in opinion, but after he saw the final outcome, he sent me a note saying ‘I loved working with you, ’ Bharathiraja said.
The film was also intended to mark Kajal Aggarwal’s Tamil debut, but production delays meant two other films featuring her released first.
Bommalattam remained unreleased for years until Indian director Nag Ravi of Insight Media stepped in. The Tamil version eventually released and was successful, while the Hindi version, retitled Final Cut of Director, received a limited release in October 2016 after a decade-long delay.
Patekar’s voice, however, did not carry over into the Tamil version. His dialogues were dubbed by Nizhalgal Ravi.
The film has since developed a small cult following among some Tamil-film viewers.
Also Read: ‘Ek machhar’ to ‘Control Uday’ – 10 Nana Patekar dialogues that never fade
Kaala
Patekar’s more prominent Tamil film came in 2018, when he played the antagonist opposite Rajinikanth in Kaala. His character, Haridev, or ‘Hari Dada’ Abhyankar, is a former gangster-turned-politician and Union minister who repeatedly tries to evict the people of Dharavi and seize their land.
Patekar also dubbed his own lines in Tamil for the film, according to IndiaGlitz, marking his first attempt at doing so.
Cinematographer Murali recalled in an interview that Patekar prepared for his roles down to the smallest detail. He also spoke about the healthy competition between Patekar and Rajinikanth, particularly during a climactic face-off choreographed by stunt master Dilip Subbarayan.
Rajinikanth, too, praised Patekar’s performance.
“I was thrilled by his performance and thoroughly enjoyed it,” the superstar said at the time.
Patekar’s Hari Dada went on to become one of the more memorable antagonists in Rajinikanth’s filmography. He also won the Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Villainous Role for Kaala.
Edited by Maryam Hassan