‘Mujhe sachhi maro’: How Nana Patekar brought ‘genuinity to his craft

Veteran actor Nana Patekar was laid to rest on Thursday night at his farmhouse in Donje, Pune, following his untimely death due to a heart attack in Goa. The funeral ceremony was marked by full state honours, honoring the significant impact Patekar had on cinema and theatre. Notable political figures, including Sunetra Pawar, Eknath Shinde, and Chandrakant Patil, attended the funeral, along with actor Jackie Shroff.

Nana's remains were brought from Goa to Pune on Thursday evening and taken to his farmhouse, known as Nanachi Wadi. His wife, son, and close friends were present during the final rites. Nana Patekar, a three-time National Award winner, was a versatile and powerful performer in both Marathi and Hindi cinema. He had begun his career in theatre before making his film debut in 1978.

Known for his distinctive voice and intense screen presence, Patekar has won three National Film Awards and appeared in numerous acclaimed films. Tributes poured in from across the film industry, including from President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and several Chief Ministers, upon hearing of his death.