MUMBAI: Life is truly unpredictable. Veteran actor Nana Patekar was supposed to make a special appearance on the premiere episode of Madhuri Dixit-hosted Kon Honar Crorepati (KHC), the Marathi version of Kaun Banega Crorepati, with the shoot scheduled for this weekend. However, fate had other plans. He passed away on Thursday, leaving a void in the industry.
Following his passing, Madhuri shared her heartfelt condolences on Instagram, writing, “A great artist, a powerful personality and an unforgettable voice… With Nana Patekar’s passing, the film industry has lost a treasured and legendary actor. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. A heartfelt tribute.”
Madhuri and Nana Patekar had worked together in the 1998 film Wajood. Now, actor Sonali Bendre will be seen gracing the hot seat of the premiere episode of Sony Marathi’s Kon Honar Crorepati.
Nana Patekar was cremated with full state honours at his Donje farmhouse in Pune on Thursday night. After performing the last rites, Nana Patekar’s son Malhar Patekar spoke to media and said, “A person like Nana Saheb never truly leaves us; his achievements have made him immortal. Secondly, he always believed that everyone should come together and follow a righteous path on a global scale. Thirdly, regarding the future–carrying forward the vision Nana Saheb left behind is how we will shape the life ahead.”
#WATCH : Nana Patekar’s Son Malhar Lights His Funeral Pyre
Thousands gathered in Pune on Thursday night to bid a tearful farewell to legendary actor Nana Patekar.
The 75-year-old actor’s last rites were performed with full state honours at his farmhouse in Donje village, as mourners chanted “Nana Amar Rahe.” His son Malhar lit the funeral pyre.
Several prominent political, film and social personalities attended the final farewell, including Jackie Shroff, Makarand Anaspure, Ramdas Athawale, Murlidhar Mohol and Maharashtra Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar.#RIPNanaPatekar #NanaPatekar #NanaPatekarDeath #NanaPatekarNoMore #Bollywood #Pune #RIP
— upuknews (@upuknews1) October 8, 2026
Nana Patekar began his acting career with the 1978 film ‘Gaman’ and went on to deliver acclaimed performances in movies such as ‘Parinda’, ‘Prahar’, ‘Angaar’, ‘Krantiveer’, ‘Tiranga’, ‘Khamoshi’ and ‘Ab Tak Chhappan’.
In recent years, the 75-year-old actor featured in Housefull 5, alongside Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh and others. He also played a police officer in Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo, which stars Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri. Patekar further made a cameo appearance in Subedar, featuring Anil Kapoor and Radhika Madan. (ANI)
