Veteran actor Nana Patekar, who passed away on Thursday, October 8, is being remembered for his extraordinary body of work and the many layers of his personality that emerged beyond the screen.

In an earlier interview with NDTV during the promotion of Vanavas In 2024, the actor spoke about one of the saddest chapters in his life: losing his father when he couldn’t afford his treatment.

Recalling the early days of his life, Nana explained how his financial situation changed after he started working in films. While he eventually went on to make enough money, success came too late to change a tragedy that had been with him for years.

“I started earning money from films. Initially, I earned a little, then I started earning a lot. But when my father was ill, I didn’t have money for his treatment, and he died in the hospital,” he recalled.

Nana Patekar recalled waiting outside the hospital with his friend

The actor also recalled the agonizing wait outside the hospital, where he and a friend would spend the night as they were not allowed inside. In those moments of uncertainty, they would sit on the steps or the pavement and play Antakshari.

“We used to sit outside the hospital on the steps or on the pavement. We weren’t allowed to stay inside overnight, so we used to sit outside and play Antakshari. I had a friend with me. You never knew when someone would come out and tell you that your father was gone,” said Nana.

“If I had money I could have given him good medicines and taken him to a better hospital. But I couldn’t. That hesitation stays with you. Even today when I remember those days my eyes fill with tears,” he added.