Nana Patekar dies at 75: ‘I’m a good shooter’ – As actor recalls spending 60 days in Indian Army during Kargil War | Today’s news
Veteran actor Nana Patekar breathed his last on Thursday. He was 75 years old. He will be accorded a state funeral in Maharashtra in recognition of his immense contribution to Marathi and Hindi cinema. Well, the role of the legendary artist extended beyond his acting career. He also had deep connections with the Indian Army.
During the 1999 Kargil war, Nana Patekar spent about 60 days with the soldiers. He had earlier discussed this in an interview in 2024 and shared that he was part of the QRT (Quick Reaction Team) in Kargil.
‘I’m a good shooter’
In an interview with The Lallantop, Nana recalled, “George Fernandes was the defense minister and I wanted to go (to Kargil). He said, ‘I did the commando course. I’m a good shooter. I played at the national level,” he said.
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Nana Patekar spent about 60 days with the Indian Army during the Kargil War as part of the Quick Reaction Team (QRT), providing support and morale to the soldiers.
Nana Patekar has been recognized for his immense contribution to Marathi and Hindi cinema and has shown exceptional talent and determination throughout his career.
Nana Patekar underwent intensive training with the Maratha Light Infantry before shooting ‘Prahaar’, where he played the lead role and also directed the film, showing his commitment to authenticity.
Nana Patekar suffered a severe cardiac arrest at his home in Goa and despite efforts to revive him, he could not be saved.
Yes, numerous tributes have been shared from the film industry and political figures, recognizing Patekar’s impressive contributions and commemorating his unique talent.
At first he was discouraged, but after speaking to the Minister of Defense, he was sent to the front that same day. “No, no, we can’t allow a civilian,” Patekar recalled, talking about his conversation with Fernandes.
“I was there for 60 days,” Patekar said in an interview. “I have been to Mughalpura, Dras, Leh, Kupwara, Baramulla, Sopore,” he said.
When asked what he was doing there, the actor replied: “Don’t ask. I can’t tell you.”
However, he told the media house, “Eventually I became a member of QRT, the Quick Response Team. When I left I was 76 kg and when I came back I was 56 kg, in just two months. Itna sa toh kuch hum kar sakte haindesh ke liye (At least we can do this for the country).”
Meanwhile, India today an August 1999 report revealed that Nana Patekar lived with the soldiers for “over a fortnight” and moved from place to place as an “unofficial cheerleader”.
The report stated that Nana underwent intensive training with the Maratha Light Infantry before the shooting of Prahaar: The Final Attack, in which he played Major Pratap Chauhan and was also the director.
The actor, then 50, said, “Our biggest weapon is not Bofors or AKs, but our jawans.”
A 1999 India Today report stated that Patekar could not join the army because “my qualification was not equivalent to graduation”.
Nana Patekar dies at the age of 75
Veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at the age of 75 after suffering a massive cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa.
Patekar was declared brought dead after being brought to a hospital in Goa following a cardiac arrest, ANI Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Head of Oncology at Manipal Hospital.
According to Dr Salkar, the actor was brought to the hospital in the early hours of Thursday after he became unresponsive at his residence. The doctor said the medical team tried to revive him for almost an hour but could not save him.
Giving details of the actor’s last hours, Dr Salkar said that Patekar texted a friend around 2:30 in the morning that he was not feeling well. The friend later went to his residence around 4:00 a.m. after seeing the message.
Nana Patekar was one of the most famous actors in Hindi and Marathi cinema. He made his acting debut with the 1978 film Gaman and went on to appear in films like Parinda, Prahar, Angaar, Krantiveer, Tiranga, Khamoshi and Ab Tak Chhappan.
In recent years, Patekar continued to do films. He was seen in Housefull 5 and also appeared as a police officer in Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo. He also had a cameo in Subedar starring Anil Kapoor and Radhika Madan.
