Nana Patekar cremated with full state honours in Pune; Fadnavis, Shinde and Jackie Shroff attend

Veteran actor Nana Patekar was cremated with full state honours at his farmhouse in Donje, near Pune, on Thursday night. His final journey brought together family members, film industry colleagues and political leaders, who gathered to pay their respects following his death in Goa on October 8.

Among those present at the funeral were actor Jackie Shroff and political leaders Sunetra Pawar, Eknath Shinde, Chandrakant Patil, Madhuri Misal, Murlidhar Mohol and Ramdas Athawale.

Nana’s mortal remains arrived in Pune from Goa on Thursday evening before being taken to his farmhouse, popularly known as Nanachi Wadi, near Khadakwasla. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid his respects at Pune International Airport before the mortal remains were taken to Donje for the final rites.

State honours for a celebrated actor

The Maharashtra government decided to accord Nana Patekar full state honours in recognition of his contributions to theatre and cinema. Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar had announced the decision earlier on Thursday.

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Shelar highlighted the actor’s influence on Marathi theatre and both Marathi and Hindi films, describing his death as a major loss to the artistic community. Nana’s journey from Yeola to becoming one of Indian cinema’s most recognisable performers was marked by decades of acclaimed work across different genres.

Fans gather for Nana Patekar’s final darshan

Before the journey to Pune, Nana’s mortal remains were kept at Goa Medical College and Hospital for a brief period to allow the public to pay their last respects.

His wife and son, Malhar Patekar, were present during the final darshan. Fans gathered in large numbers at the hospital, offering garlands and touching the actor’s feet as they said goodbye.

The mortal remains were later transported in a decorated ambulance to Manohar International Airport in Mopa, North Goa, for the flight to Pune.

Nana died in the early hours of Thursday at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa. Reports stated that he was taken to a private hospital after being found unconscious following a cardiac emergency. Despite doctors’ efforts to revive him for around 45 minutes, he could not be saved. He was declared dead at approximately 5.20 am.

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His son, Malhar Patekar, confirmed the news to The Indian Express.

Family and friends grieve the loss

Nana’s nephew, Sachin Patekar, was among the relatives who reached Goa Medical College and Hospital after hearing about the actor’s death. He was reportedly overcome with emotion outside the mortuary as family members and well-wishers gathered.

Actor Sayaji Shinde, who shared a close bond with Nana, also arrived at the hospital. He was in Goa for a film shoot when he learnt of his friend’s passing.

Speaking to reporters, Sayaji expressed his shock at the news, saying he had seen the reports on television that morning and rushed to the hospital because he was shooting nearby.

Tributes pour in from across the country

Nana Patekar’s death prompted an outpouring of condolences from the film fraternity and political circles. Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Manoj Bajpayee, Rajinikanth, Paresh Rawal, Prakash Raj and Jr NTR were among the actors who remembered the veteran star on social media.

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President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several chief ministers also paid tribute, reflecting the actor’s far-reaching impact on Indian cinema.

Nana Patekar’s enduring legacy

Known for his powerful dialogue delivery, distinctive voice and ability to inhabit challenging roles, Nana Patekar built a career that extended from theatre to acclaimed performances in Marathi and Hindi cinema.

He made his film debut with Gaman in 1978 after beginning his career on stage. His performances in Parinda and Krantiveer earned him National Film Awards, while films such as Khamoshi: The Musical, Ab Tak Chhappan, Raajneeti and Welcome showcased his range as a performer.

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His portrayal of Uday Shetty in Welcome introduced his comic timing to a wider audience, while his work in the Marathi film Natsamrat earned considerable acclaim. He also directed Prahaar: The Final Attack and received the Padma Shri in 2013.

Away from the screen, Nana was associated with the Naam Foundation, an organisation working to support drought-affected areas and rural communities in Maharashtra.

From intense dramatic roles to memorable comic performances, his body of work left a lasting mark on Indian cinema and theatre.