In the 2007 smash hit "Welcome", Nana Patekar carved out a niche as a fear‑some don, a role that still makes crowds laugh at his punchlines and nods. The character of Uday Shetty, a grizzled underworld kingpin, was the very thing that made the film a cult classic, and it was his razor‑sharp delivery that kept viewers glued.
Earlier this week, the actor was found unconscious in the serene lanes of Dona Paula, Goa. Doctors performed 45 minutes of CPR before declaring him dead at 5:20 a.m., a grim timeline that echoed the intensity of his on‑screen personas.
Akshay Kumar took the social‑media floor, writing, "Really saddened by the news of Nana ji's passing. I felt fortunate that we worked together in Welcome and again in Housefull 5 – so many memories from those sets that I’ll always hold close." Paresh Rawal echoed the sentiment, calling Nana "insanely honest and intense".
Director Anees Bazmee, who first saw Nana’s potential in 2007, posted a tearful note: "He was ready to switch on his comic mode only after hearing the story. His chemistry with Anil Kapoor became the heartbeat of Welcome." The post reminded fans that Nana was more than a villain; he was a storyteller.
Mallika Sherawat, who played Isha in the film, added, "It's hard to believe you are gone, Nana ji. You will be missed." Her words, simple yet potent, capture the collective grief sweeping the industry. The actor’s last rites will be performed tonight in Pune, a fitting tribute to a legend whose footprints linger across halls of Indian cinema.