Nana Patekar, one of the most familiar faces in Indian cinema, passed away on October 8 at 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest. Though he was rushed to the hospital, he could not be saved. His fans are grieving the loss of an actor whose career of almost five decades produced several of the best-loved films in Hindi and Marathi cinema. Condolences have also come from across the border, where he commanded a loyal following. Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal paid tribute in a social media post, and former cricketer Basit Ali fondly recalled his personal connection with the actor. Basit said the two became friends in 1994 and stayed in touch for years, remembering how Nana would reach out to ask after him and his family in tough times.
Basit Ali remembers first speaking to Nana Patekar in 1994
Upon hearing of the actor’s death, Basit Ali posted a video, saying the news had brought back years of memories. The former Pakistan cricketer recalled that he first spoke to Nana in 1994 and described him as someone who stayed in touch long after they first connected. “Early in the morning I heard sad news. Our very dear brother, friend, and living legend is no longer in this world—Nana Patekar Sahab has passed away. What a person he was; he acted in movies exactly as he was in real life. We had nicknamed Latif as ‘Nana’. Because of Nana Patekar, we first talked back in 1994, and it all started from there,” Basit said.
Basit Ali on how Nana Patekar supported him after his mother’s death
He recalled that Nana kept in regular touch with his family, especially while his mother was in the hospital. According to Basit, the actor continued to offer support after her passing and got in touch again when Ali himself faced health issues. “Now there are so many memories. Usually, we spoke once or twice every month. When my mother was alive and in the hospital, Nana Ji called every week. He offered many prayers, talked at length with my mother, and listened to old stories. When my mother passed away, he told me, ‘Hey Basit, take care of yourself now’. And when I had my heart issue and returned home, I received a message asking about my health and telling me to call when I felt better. When I called him back, he inquired about how everything went, including the stent placement,” he added.
‘Nana Patekar was the same on and off screen’
He further spoke about their chats on the actor’s films and the easy rapport they shared, including the times Nana would playfully brush off his questions about specific scenes. “He was such a wonderful human being. For people who only knew him through movies, he was the exact same person in real life as well. People praised him, and we were fortunate to have many conversations. Sometimes we would ask him about a specific scene in a movie, and he would playfully say, ‘Shut up, what do you know?’. The love and affection he gave as an elder was truly incredible,” he said.Basit also admitted that he was struggling to come to terms with the news, explaining that he would often address Nana as a “young man” since the actor never looked his age. He added that Patekar enjoyed as much love from audiences in Pakistan as he did in India and around the world. “I still can’t believe this news. The man did not look 75 years old. I used to always call him ‘young man,’ and he would reply, ‘Forget it, both you and I are old now’. It is deeply painful. And I will say one thing here: Nana Ji had as many admirers in Pakistan as he had in India and across the world. People loved him very much,” he concluded his video.See More: Nana Patekar passes away: Nana Patekar cremated with full state honours at his Pune farmhouse; thousands bid him an emotional farewell as his son lights the funeral pyre
Nana Patekar’s last rites
On Thursday evening, Nana Patekar’s mortal remains were flown in from Goa to Pune and taken to his farmhouse at Donje, close to Khadakwasla, where the last rites were reportedly performed with full state honours. His wife, Neelkanti, and son, Malhar, were by his side. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and actor Jackie Shroff were reportedly among those who came to pay their final respects.