Nana Patekar: Lights, camera, and a life lived beyond the silver screen

Veteran actor Vishwanath Patekar, famously known as Nana Patekar, has passed away at the age of 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was found unconscious at his Goa residence.

Despite 45 minutes of continuous CPR, Patekar could not be revived, Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, said, according to an ANI report. A medico-legal case (MLC) has been registered and a post-mortem will be conducted.

Patekar built his career over Hindi and Marathi cinema, and was known for his distinctive acting style, powerful dialogues. The veteran actor, who was also a writer and filmmaker was born on January 1, 1951, in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra.


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The roles that defined Nana Patekar

Patekar made his Bollywood debut with the 1978 drama Gaman. He appeared in many Hindi and Marathi films before gaining wider recognition for his performance in Parinda (1989).

After appearing in the Academy Award-nominated Salaam Bombay in 1988, Patekar won the National Film Award and Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for Parinda.

He later won the Best Villain award for Angaar in 1992. In 1995, he won the National Film Award, Filmfare Award and Screen Award for Best Actor for his performance in Krantiveer (1994).

He was also known for 'Ab Tak Chhappan' and 'Raajneeti' and appeared in Housefull 5, played a police officer in Vishal Bhardwaj's O'Romeo and made a cameo appearance in Subedar.

He was defined as the only actor to have won Filmfare Awards in the Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Villain categories.

When the actor put on a military uniform

He joined the Territorial Army as a captain in 1988 and underwent three years of military training while preparing for Prahaar: The Final Attack, which was his directorial debut.

During his training, he worked with then Lieutenant Colonel V K Singh, who also appeared in the film.

Also Read: Veteran actor Nana Patekar dies at 75 after cardiac arrest

Patekar's association with the armed forces goes beyond his film career. During the 1999 Kargil War, he served with the Maratha Light Infantry as a major. He later retired from the Territorial Army in 2013 as a lieutenant colonel.

The honours that followed his performances

Patekar was nominated for multiple awards during his career and was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contribution to films and the arts.

Patekar was an alumnus of Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art in Mumbai.

Beyond the camera, a life rooted in social work

Away from the limelight of cinema, Patekar was known for his love for cooking. He was also a farmer and cultivated crops including wheat and rice, sold the produce and then donated the money to the needy farmers.

Patekar and fellow Marathi actor Makarand Anaspure established the Naam Foundation in September 2015. The foundation works to provide aid to farmers facing drought conditions in Maharashtra.

Patekar also donated the amount he received with the Raj Kapoor Award towards drought relief activities in Maharashtra. He even helped the widows of farmers who had died by suicide by gifting them sewing machines. Around 62 families in Latur received Patekar’s help as they received Rs 15,000 each.

Why Nana chose a different path for his son

Nana Patekar was a strong believer of ‘hard work reaps success’, and believed his son should struggle and work hard to secure his place in the industry. He was of the opinion that Malhar should find his way on his own and become a self-made star.

Patekar was married to Neelkantee Patekar.