Nana Patekar Remembered: Madhur Bhandarkar, Smriti Irani and Suniel Shetty Pay Emotional Tributes to the Veteran Actor

The Indian film industry continues to mourn the loss of veteran actor Nana Patekar, with colleagues, friends and admirers remembering the man behind the unforgettable performances. Following news of his passing at the age of 75, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, former Union minister and actor Smriti Z Irani, and actor Suniel Shetty shared deeply emotional tributes on social media. While Bhandarkar highlighted Patekar’s contribution to cinema, theatre and society, Smriti remembered him simply as “Dada”, while Suniel Shetty described him as a man unlike anyone else.

Madhur Bhandarkar paid tribute to Nana Patekar by remembering not only his extraordinary body of work but also his contribution beyond the screen. He tweeted, “I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of veteran actor Nana Patekar Dada. Alongside his exceptional contributions to theatre and films, his remarkable work for society’s underprivileged sections & our farming community will always inspire generations to come. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with his family and fans during this painful time. #OmShanti”. Bhandarkar’s words highlighted a side of Patekar that often existed away from the glare of cinema—the work he did for people from underprivileged communities and his concern for the farming community.

Smriti Z Irani’s tribute, meanwhile, was intensely personal. She revealed that while the world knew him as Nana Patekar, she called him “Dada”, recalling his spontaneous phone calls and the unmistakably familiar voice that would greet her with, “Kahan hai re?” She wrote, “Dada. That’s what I called him, while the world knew him as Nana Patekar. His calls were as random as they were precious. No formalities, no pleasantries. Just that familiar voice – ‘Kahan hai re?’ We barely ever photographed our moments together. Perhaps because one could never imagine there would come a day when photographs would be all I am left with.” Her tribute went on to reveal how she would sometimes connect young actors who admired Patekar with him, and he would always respond with warmth despite his famously gruff exterior.

Among the memories Smriti holds closest is one that had nothing to do with the film industry—Nana Patekar cooking for her. “Today, among the memories I hold closest is one of him cooking for me. No special occasion. Just Dada, being Dada,” she recalled. She also remembered their final conversation, when Patekar asked her, “Aa re Pune, kadhi yeshil?”—asking when she would come to Pune. Smriti replied that she would come soon, but now wishes that “soon” had arrived earlier. Her closing words, “See you on the other side, Dada,” turned the tribute into an intimate farewell to someone she clearly considered much more than a colleague.

Suniel Shetty also expressed his disbelief and grief, describing Patekar as a man who remained grounded regardless of how successful he became. He tweeted, “Absolutely shocking!!! They don’t make men like you anymore. So deeply rooted no matter how high you rose. Unapologetically yourself, fiercely honest and a master of your craft. There was only one Nana. There will never be another. Rest in peace Bhau... Cinema won't be the same without you.” His words captured the qualities that made Patekar such a distinctive figure—his honesty, individuality and refusal to become anyone other than himself.

Across these three tributes, a striking picture of Nana Patekar emerges. For Madhur Bhandarkar, he was an artist whose contribution extended from theatre and cinema to social causes. For Smriti Z Irani, he was “Dada”, the man who called without formalities, cooked for friends and encouraged young talent. For Suniel Shetty, he was an irreplaceable performer and a fiercely authentic human being. Together, their memories underline why Patekar’s passing feels like the end of a very particular era in Indian cinema. His performances may have made him a legend, but it was the person people encountered away from the camera that made his loss deeply personal for so many.