In a tear‑filled video, Amitabh Bachchan poured his grief over Nana Patekar, reminding fans that the late actor’s legacy lives on—"Ek adwitiya kalakar, mitra, subhchintak..." he said, voice cracking.
The tribute harks back to their brief but electric pairing in 1999’s ‘Kohram’ and to the night on Kaun Banega Crorepati where Nana confessed his love for village life, even gifting his KBC winnings to local causes. “I didn’t just win money, I donated it,” he recalled in the clip, and Bachchan nodded, “I’ll visit you.”
Patekar’s death, announced at 5:20 a.m. after a cardiac arrest at his Goa home, stunned the industry. Rescue teams battled for 45 minutes before doctors could do nothing more, a grim reminder that even icons are mortal.
The actor’s funeral at Donje farmhouse in Pune was a full‑state honour, with chants of “Nana Amar Rahe” echoing through the fields. His son Malhar lit the pyre, a moving tribute to a man who had always said his house was a shared home.
While the nation mourns, the industry is already planning ways to keep Patekar’s spirit alive—rumors of a biopic are swirling, and classic films are seeing renewed interest as fans dig into his filmography. The next chapter of his story is just a screen away.