Renowned photographer Atul Kasbekar remembered veteran actor Nana Patekar after his death on Thursday, October 8.
Sharing a heartfelt note on Instagram, Atul reminisced about his relationship with the actor and reminisced about one of their most memorable encounters at Nana’s farmhouse near Pune.
Atul began his tribute by describing Nana as a unique personality. He wrote, “Nana sahab. What a human being. What a loss. I shared a wonderful relationship with Nana Patekar. We didn’t meet often, but whenever we did it felt like we met yesterday.”
He added, “He was especially proud that a fellow Maharashtrian had made a name for himself in photography. Always a warm word, always laced with his trademark acid wit.”
HOONEST: Recalling his experience photographing Nana for an exhibition of character portraits, Atul said the actor insisted that the shoot be done at his farmhouse near Pune.
He wrote, “Unrecognizable. Intense. Fiercely individualistic. Nana Sahib didn’t come into a room. He took it over. One of my fondest memories is photographing him for my exhibition, HOONEST: Character Portraits, probably one of his last formal portrait sessions. He insisted on getting close to his form.”
Atul then recalled how Nana’s first concern was not the photo shoot but feeding everyone who came with the photographer.
He wrote, “His first question was how many people were coming. Not out of concern for the size of the crew, but because everyone would be given lunch. And what a feast! Every assistant, spot boy and driver were seated in their main dining area, Nana Sahib personally walking around helping out extra rotis and helpings of his famous mutton.”
Describing the actor’s generosity, Atul said, “No hiccups. No fuss. The extraordinary generosity of a man who can terrorize an entire film set with a raised eyebrow.”
He also shared a lighter memory of the day. Atul recalls going to Nana’s gym, where the actor did a dozen tricep dips without any warm-up.
He wrote, “Then he proudly showed me around his property, including his gym, where he casually knocked out a dozen tricep dips. Stone cold, no warm-up. The show! And then, in a moment of brilliant ironic humor, showed me a pile of firewood he’d prepared for his funeral.”
Then Nana explained why he had kept the wood ready. Atul recalled, “He kept it dry, he explained, because wet wood gives off smoke, and he didn’t want people to cry at his funeral just because the smoke got in their eyes! Only Nana Sahib could have turned his funeral into a comedy routine.”
Recalling Nana’s personality, Atul wrote, “A wonderful actor. The voice of a generation. A formidable presence. And beneath that intimidating exterior, a deeply generous, solid human being.”
He added, “His loss feels personal. Like a punch in the gut. I am honored to have made those pictures, but infinitely grateful for the time, conversation and laughter we shared. My deepest condolences to Malhar, Neelu ji and all their loved ones. Rest in peace, Nana Sahib. There will never be another like you.”
Nana Patekar died of a heart attack at his home in Goa. He was 75 years old. According to hospital sources, the actor was declared dead at 5:20 am.
Also Read: ‘Gone Too Soon My Hero Actor’: Shah Rukh Khan Remembers Nana Patekar as Mentor, Friend and ‘Unbeatable Carrom Champion’