Actor Rajinikanth expressed shock over the death of veteran actor Nana Patekar, saying he could not believe that his “dear friend” was no longer alive.
Rajinikanth took to X to pay tribute to Nana Patekar and offered his condolences to the actor’s family and loved ones. “I can’t believe my dear friend Nanaji is no longer with us. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.
Rajinikanth and Nana Patekar worked together in Pa Ranjith’s 2018 action drama Kaala. Rajinikanth played Karikalan “Kaala”, the leader of Dharavi, while Nana Patekar played Haridev, a ruthless minister who attempts to seize the land and evict its residents. The film also featured Eswari Rao, Huma Qureshi, Samuthirakani, Pankaj Tripathi, Anjali Patil, K Manikandan, Dileepan, Nitish Veera, Sampath Raj and Ravi Kale.
Nana Patekar, one of the most celebrated performers in Hindi and Marathi cinema, died in Goa on Thursday at the age of 75. According to an official confirmation from Manipal Hospital, Goa, he was found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Nana made his Hindi film debut with Gaman in 1978 and went on to earn acclaim for performances in films including Salaam Bombay!, Parinda, Angaar, Tirangaa, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Khamoshi: The Musical, Yeshwant, Ab Tak Chhappan, Apaharan and Raajneeti. He was last seen in Subedaar, where he played Lance Naik Nana Waghmare in a special role.