In a note he penned on Instagram on Thursday, he recalled how Nana once asked him not to lose the actor in him while pursuing a career as a hero. Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan is mourning the death of his friend and co-star Nana Patekar . Shah Rukh’s eulogy for him came in the evening.
Nana died on October 8 at the age of 75 in Goa due to a cardiac arrest.
Shah Rukh posted a still with Nana from their 1992 film Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman. After Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Nana and Shah Rukh worked together in 2002 for Shakti: The Power. His body is expected to have been brought there at 5 PM for a ‘darshan’ for fans.
He recalled shooting with him, writing, “When I first met him, out of awe and awkwardness I fiddled with my hair. The actor also wrote about Nana’s straightforward nature, “He didn’t flatter you. He didn’t tell you what you wanted to hear. That was Nana. Straightforward. Rough, honest and had the most beautiful smile. Shah Rukh added, “He always had a strange way of showing affection. He would shout at you first, and then somewhere between the third or fourth insult, you realised you were being hugged. He loved me and I loved him back. The star wrote about how much he will miss his friend, “You have left a void not only in the world of cinema but in the hearts of all Indians and the world. The Heavens will be blessed to have you… a masterful actor and an unbeatable carrom champion. Love you and miss you dearly!! Too soon my Hero Actor! RIP. It was their last film together.
He slapped my hand away and said ‘hero ki tarah Baal mat bana…tu actor hai’! (Stop fixing your hair like a hero, you’re an actor). He told you what you needed to hear. All I can say is, I will miss you dearly and carry your words in my heart till the end of time….’hero banne ke chakar mein actor mat khona’. (Don’t lose the actor to become a hero)” He ended his note with, “May your soul rest in peace Nana and Allah bless you.
Nana Patekar’s funeral will be held at his Pune farm on Thursday.
