Mumbai, Oct 8 (PTI) Union minister Nitin Gadkari, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, social activist Prakash Amte, and several prominent personalities mourned the passing of veteran actor Nana Patekar on Thursday, remembering him not only as a towering figure in cinema but also as a compassionate voice for social causes.
The 76-year-old actor, known for his versatility and powerful screen presence, passed away at his Goa residence in the early hours of Thursday after suffering a suspected heart attack.
Gadkari said he and Patekar shared a very close and friendly relationship and that the news of his death was deeply shocking and saddening.
“With his powerful acting, Nana Patekar dominated the hearts of audiences through Marathi and Hindi films for more than five decades. His distinctive dialogue delivery immortalised many film characters and created a unique identity for him,” Gadkari said.
Patekar’s work for water conservation and harvesting in rural parts of Maharashtra through Naam Foundation, which he founded along with Marathi actor Makarand Anaspure, was remarkable, he said in a release.
“The assistance he provided to the families of farmers who took their own lives became the support for many families. Nana was not only an outstanding artist and actor but also a person deeply sensitive to social causes. May God grant peace to his departed soul,” Gadkari added.
Actor Ashok Saraf expressed shock over the death of his “very close friend”. “I still cannot believe the news. He was physically fit and led a very disciplined life,” he said.
Saraf said they both began their journey with “Hamidabaichi Kothi” in 1978. Patekar’s intense performance in the play made the industry take note of the new actor, he said.
“He made his spark felt. He was a straightforward person. He would easily rush to help people in need,” Saraf said.
Noted social worker Prakash Amte said he first could not believe the news of Patekar’s death and thought it was a rumour. Patekar had played the role of Prakash Amte in the Marathi movie “Prakashwata”.
“Nana played my role in a movie and he had stayed at Hemalkasa (in Gadchiroli district) for a month. He was highly impressed with Baba Amte’s work. He was younger to me, and it is very painful to accept that he has gone,” Amte said.
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, who visited Goa Medical College and Hospital near Panaji, where the actor’s mortal remains were taken for post-mortem, also talked about the actor’s contribution beyond cinema.
The veteran actor had not only excelled in his profession but also remained deeply concerned about society and used his own efforts and resources to help people in distress, he said.
“Naam Foundation’s contribution towards helping drought-affected people has been immense. When I travelled through drought-hit areas, I saw Nana’s people doing excellent work at several places. Nana would stand with people during such crises, which gave them a different kind of confidence. That absence will certainly be felt today,” said the veteran politician.
Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister and BJP leader Ashish Shelar mourned Patekar’s death, calling him a “fearless actor” and saying the Indian film industry had lost a sensitive, talented and authentic artiste.
In a post on X, Shelar said Patekar had left an indelible mark on Marathi and Hindi cinema through his performances and created a distinct identity through theatre, films and social work.
Actor-producer Riteish Deshmukh said he was “shocked beyond words”, stressing that Patekar was incomparable in his craft.
Patekar had excelled in every kind of role, including larger-than-life heroes, terrifying villains and poker-faced comedy, and had also worked tirelessly for the welfare of people through charity.
“I had the privilege of sharing screen space with him in ‘Bluffmaster’ and ‘Housefull 5’, but working with him in a Marathi film will forever remain my unfulfilled desire,” Deshmukh said, describing the actor’s death as “truly, the end of an era”.
Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal said Patekar had a strong social and political consciousness in addition to his acting abilities.
“He took the initiative in water conservation activities and helped so many farmers in the state,” Sapkal said.
Former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said the actor’s service-oriented work in drought-affected areas through the Naam Foundation was something Maharashtra would never forget.
Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said Patekar’s dream was to establish schools for children in Kashmir.
“I consider it my duty to provide every possible assistance to fulfil that dream. That will be the true tribute to Nana Patekar,” he said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said Patekar reigned supreme in the hearts of discerning audiences with his multifaceted acting and razor-sharp dialogue delivery. Alongside his contributions to the film world, the social work he carried out for drought-affected farmers will forever remain etched in memory, he said.
Tributes also poured in from several other personalities, including Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
“Some people leave behind memories. A few leave behind a part of themselves in our lives. Nana was one of them,” said the IAS officer. PTI CLS ND MR PR GK NR
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