Nana Patekar’s friend Tukaram Mundhe shares emotional tribute: ‘Love you, Bala’

Picture Credit: X

Veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away at the age of 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. Following Nana Patekar’s death, Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe described the actor as a close friend and shared an emotional tribute.Taking to his X handle, Tukaram Mundhe revealed that he had spoken to Nana just eight days before his death.

Tukaram Mundhe pays emotional tribute

“Nana Patekar is no more. I have lost not merely an exceptional artist, but an extraordinary human being and a dear friend, someone whose warmth and affection touched everyone around him. We spoke just eight days ago. I could never have imagined that it would be our last conversation. His last words to me were: 'Love you, Bala.'

Those words will stay with me for the rest of my life,” he wrote.He further added, “Some people leave behind memories. A few leave behind a part of themselves in our lives. Nana was one of them. Goodbye, my friend. You will be deeply missed, and forever remembered.”

Nana Patekar spent more than four decades working in films and theatre. He became known for his intense screen presence, powerful dialogue delivery and ability to move between serious and comic roles.

His acclaimed performances include ‘Krantiveer’, ‘Agneepath’, ‘Ab Tak Chhappan’, ‘Parinda’ and ‘Salaam Bombay!’ He also showed his comic side in films such as ‘Welcome’.Patekar received multiple National Film Awards during his career and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2013.

Nana Patekar’s final films

Speaking of his latest releases, Nana Patekar was seen in playing a police officer in Vishal Bhardwaj’s 2026 film ‘O’ Romeo’, starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, and appeared in a cameo role in ‘Subedar’ with Anil Kapoor and Radhika Madan.

Nana Patekar passes away at 75

Nana Pateka was found unconscious at his home in Dona Paula in the early hours of Thursday and was taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him for around 45 minutes. He was declared dead at around 5:20 am.Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital said the actor could not be revived despite continued resuscitation efforts. A medico-legal case has been registered and a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted.See More: Nana Patekar passes away: PM Modi hails veteran star's contribution to Hindi and Marathi cinema