Did you know Nana Patekar was a national shooting medallist and a huge Virat Kohli fan?
Nana Patekar was known for his powerful performances, unforgettable dialogues and remarkable screen presence. But away from the cameras, Patekar had another remarkable achievement to his name. He was a national shooting medallist. And when it came to cricket, he was such a big Virat Kohli fan that watching the Indian batter get out early could actually spoil his appetite. Patekar died on…
Nana Patekar, a renowned Indian actor, was also a celebrated national shooting medalist, despite his fame for his cinema career. His love for cricket was equally profound, with Virat Kohli being his favorite player. Patekar's passion for shooting only grew stronger over time, starting from his military training for the film Prahaar in 1991.
It wasn't until around 2001, when he was 49, that he began competing seriously. By 2004, he had won silver at the National Shooting Championships in Indore, and in 2007, he represented Maharashtra at the National 300m Big Bore Shooting Championship in Mhow, where his team took home bronze. He achieved these feats using a borrowed rifle, scoring 549 out of 600 points and finishing 13th among 49 competitors in the individual standings.
Beyond his achievements, Patekar supported aspiring athletes, notably Anjali Bhagwat, who was her first sponsor when he helped fund her air rifle. His admiration for Virat Kohli went beyond cricket, as watching Kohli get out early could even affect his appetite. Upon Patekar's death, cricket legends like Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane paid tribute to his remarkable contributions to Indian cinema.
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