The death of veteran actor Nana Patekar has left the Marathi and Hindi film industries heartbroken. For filmmaker and actor Mahesh Manjrekar, however, the loss is far more personal. Having known Nana for more than four decades, Manjrekar says saying goodbye to his longtime friend and colleague is one of the most painful moments of his life.
Manjrekar, who directed the acclaimed 2016 Marathi film Natsamrat, worked with Nana closely and shared a bond that went far beyond cinema. Speaking about his death, he described it as a loss that is difficult for him to even put into words.
“This is the biggest loss for me after my mother and father,” Manjrekar said, recalling the shock of losing someone who had been a part of his life for around 42 years.
‘I Can’t Believe He Is No More’
For Manjrekar, Nana was not just one of the finest actors in the country but also one of the pillars of Marathi cinema. He remembered Nana alongside the late actor Vikram Gokhale, saying that both were towering figures who represented the strength and identity of the Marathi film industry.
“I can’t believe he is no more. It’s a feeling I can’t explain,” he said.
Manjrekar also revealed that he had been hoping to work with Nana again. Despite their long association, he said he could never find a story that he felt was worthy of Nana’s extraordinary talent.
“I was looking forward to working with him again but couldn’t find a subject that could justify his talent,” he recalled.
A Friendship That Began in Their Theatre Days
Their relationship went back much further than their successful film careers. Manjrekar and Nana first met during their theatre days, when both were still newcomers trying to find their place in the industry.
Manjrekar remembered visiting one of Nana’s film sets during those early years. Even then, Nana was already someone they looked up to with immense pride.
“I remember we once visited his film sets and considered him as the pride of Maharashtra even back then,” Manjrekar recalled.
He also shared a memorable incident from those days. Since Manjrekar and his friends were not known faces at the time, someone on the set tried to ask them to leave. Nana noticed what was happening and reportedly lost his temper.
The incident stayed with Manjrekar because it showed a side of Nana that remained a part of his personality throughout his life — fiercely protective of people he cared about and never afraid to speak his mind.
Nana Was Like Family to the Manjrekars
The bond between Nana and the Manjrekar family continued to grow over the years. Nana shared a particularly warm relationship with Mahesh’s wife, Medha Manjrekar.
According to Mahesh, Nana affectionately called Medha “Sarkar”, a name connected to their association with Natsamrat, in which they worked together.
Nana’s concern for Medha became even more meaningful when she was diagnosed with cancer. Manjrekar remembered how Nana regularly checked on her and made sure to stay connected with the family.
“He was like family to us and would keep checking on Medha especially after she was diagnosed with cancer,” he said.
They Were Planning to Meet Him Just Days Ago
The loss feels even more painful for the Manjrekars because they had recently been planning to meet Nana.
Mahesh revealed that he and Medha had been discussing meeting the actor just a few days before his death. Like many people who knew Nana closely, they had no idea that their next meeting would never happen.
That unfinished plan has now become another painful reminder of how suddenly life can change.
A Legacy That Will Be Difficult to Match
Nana Patekar leaves behind a remarkable body of work spanning theatre, Marathi cinema and Bollywood. From intense dramatic performances to unforgettable characters, he built a reputation for bringing honesty, raw emotion and incredible intensity to the screen.
For Mahesh Manjrekar, Nana’s contribution cannot simply be measured by the number of films he made. He was one of those rare performers whose presence could transform a scene and whose personality left a lasting impression on everyone around him.
Their friendship, which began more than four decades ago in theatre, survived changing times and growing careers. And for Manjrekar, Nana’s absence is now something that words cannot fully describe.
The Marathi film industry has lost one of its strongest pillars, while Mahesh Manjrekar has lost a friend who had become family. Nana may no longer be there in person, but the memories, performances and relationships he created over the years will continue to keep his legacy alive.
