Extensively acclaimed for his on-screen performances, actor Nana Patekar has lengthy occupied a novel house in Maharashtra’s public life. Past cinema, he’s recognized for intensive social work, most notably aid initiatives for drought-hit farm households, and for heat relationships throughout the state’s political spectrum.
Over the a long time, the actor cultivated heat ties throughout get together strains and hosted senior leaders from Maharashtra’s rival political events for the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at his house in Mumbai and later at his farm close to Pune.
But, his willingness to talk his thoughts and confront the highly effective landed him in controversy, drawing flak even from shut allies.
His equation with Balasaheb Thackeray
Throughout 1995–1999, when the Shiv Sena–BJP mix was in energy and Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray was on the peak of his affect, Nana Patekar publicly known as him out for disparaging Marathi literary figures. “Balasaheb, you may have earned a picture in our hearts and even you don’t have a proper to destroy it,” he mentioned.
Many feared a backlash however Balasaheb took the critique in stride and the their friendship endured until his demise in 2012.
Nana Patekar had even tried to dealer peace between Balasaheb Thackeray and journalist Nikhil Wagale who had been attacked by Sena staff following his criticism of the Sena management.
In an interview, Nana Patekar mentioned he stopped visiting Matoshree with Balasaheb’s demise.
“When Balasaheb Thackeray was alive, he used to name me at any time when he desires. We used to talk on cellphone or he used to ask me to return to Matoshree for assembly. However after his demise cellphone calls from Matoshree stopped and my relation with that house ended,” Patekar mentioned.
A Baba Amte’s Anandwan challenge
Past politics, Patekar had been a long-time supporter of Baba Amte’s Anandwan challenge and performed the character of Prakash Amte who runs hospitals, faculties and and orphanage in tribal areas of Gadchiroli in in an acclaimed biographical movie.
In 2015, he co-founded the Naam Basis together with Marathi actor Makarand Anaspure to assist distress-ridden farmers and assist water conservation by the state’s Jalyukta Shivar scheme.
Patekar additionally spoke out for avenue hawkers in Mumbai in 2017 when not many others amid a violent agitation being carried out towards them by the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.
“Hawkers might have encroached upon roads and footpaths however why civic physique for all these yr allowed them and didn’t give them particular house to do their enterprise? I really feel everybody has proper to work for his livelihood,” Patekar instructed reporters who had requested him concerning the agitation.
His blunt response irked Raj Thackeray, who at a celebration operate, mocked him. “Mahatma Nana Patekar has mentioned one thing on unlawful hawkers situation. He is an efficient actor and we respect him for it. However he shouldn’t converse on the problem which he doesn’t perceive. He praises each political chief and tried to evangelise on varied issues. However this Patekar by no means elevate his voice when Marathi movies weren’t getting screens throughout prime time. Take a look at actors from the South. They converse for his or her state and regional satisfaction,” Raj mentioned.
However the MNS chief did come out in his assist when an actor accused him of sexual harassment. “Nana Patekar might talking nonsense at a number of instances. However he won’t do something like this.” mentioned Raj.
Touch upon corrupt politicians
At a public occasion in 2022, he put then chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis in a spot when he questioned them concerning the lack of motion towards corrupt politicians.
“Late YB Chavan (first chief minister of the state) had simply ₹25,000 in his checking account when he died. Now-a-days even a corporator earns crores inside a yr or so, after getting elected. All of us know this. Why no is there no motion taken towards corrupt politicians,” Patekar requested the 2 in public.
In Could 2025, he landed in an issue when he described Shinde as a spotless chief who didn’t have a single taint on him. “I do know him for many years. He’s particular person with not a single taint on him.” Patekar mentioned, a comment that angered the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena leaders. “How can Patekar give certificates of character to Shinde who’s traitor of Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena and took away the get together and image from Thackeray’s household.” mentioned leaders from Thackeray faction.
Nana Patekar died on the age of 75 after struggling a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa, on Thursday.