But the tale that still makes Bollywood’s chai stalls buzz is that Nana Patekar once wanted ₹1 more than Amitabh Bachchan to share the screen.
Kamlesh Sawant, who portrayed Inspector Gaitonde in Drishyam 3, confided to Pinkvilla that the story came from a set legend, though he admits the truth is murky.
The only film where the two giants met was Mehul Kumar’s 1999 Kohram; fans still argue whether the rupee difference mattered.
Nana could silence a theatre with a single line; the crowd would stop mid‑song, clutch their seats, and wait for his next punch‑line.
He died on October 8 in Goa after a cardiac arrest; the 45‑minute CPR attempt was a sobering reminder that even gods can fall.
Whether it was a rupee or a roar, Nana’s legacy lives on, proving that a single line can outshine a million dollars.