Sonali recalls Nana's care: Actor remembers his kindness

Sonali Kulkarni calls Nana Patekar a “dear friend,” and her memories of him are full of warmth. The actress, who co-starred with him in ‘Deool’, recalls the time she was pregnant during the film’s promotions. Even as she mourns his passing, the actress says she is happy for him because he will now meet his dearest mom again.

Sonali Kulkarni calls Nana Patekar a “dear friend”

As reported in Mid-Day, Sonali stated, “I have worked on three projects with Nana sir, 'Taxi No 9211', the Marathi films 'Deool' [2011], and 'Dr Prakash Baba Amte' [2014]. I went from being scared of someone called ‘The Nana Patekar’ to becoming someone so close to him that I started calling him Nana sir. My relationship with him had a beautiful arc, of friendship and admiration, to the extent of making fun of him. He was a dear friend, and had complete authority to call me anytime.

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Sonali Kulkarni on Nana Patekar’s unscripted acting

The actress further said, “His acting always felt unscripted. I remember a scene from 'Taxi No 921' where my character was leaving [him for good]. By the time his character rushed to see me, the train had left. The longing, pathos, and feeling of loss on his face said a lot about him as an actor. He was funny in films like Welcome [2007]. I always complimented him, saying, ‘Sir, I really like your comedy’, and he enjoyed [hearing that].

He loved, splurged money [on others], and complimented them abundantly. Nana sir lived his life on his own terms.”

Nana Patekar’s care during Sonali Kulkarni’s pregnancy

“[I remember] I was pregnant during the promotions of Deool. When he got to know about it, he turned so soft with me. He took care of me during the film’s music launch, and I was almost eight-and-a-half months pregnant then. Nana sir laughed and said, ‘This is the first time I am posing with a heroine who is pregnant’.

His heart beat for farmers, and he did a lot of work for them through his NGO, Naam Foundation”, she added.Sonali concluded, “Bohot pyaar diya hai Nana sir ne. He would have hated to be ill or hospitalised. He was always fit and passionate. I’m happy for him because now he will get to meet his dearest mom again. I’m still unable to believe that we are talking about Nana sir, not because he has won an award or so, but because he’s not there with us.

It will take me some time to process this.”See More: Nana Patekar passes away: Nana Patekar cremated with full state honours at his Pune farmhouse; thousands bid him an emotional farewell as his son lights the funeral pyre

Nana Patekar worked as a commercial painter

Long before he became one of Hindi cinema’s most intense performers, Nana Patekar was working behind the scenes of the film industry in a very different way. Before he took up acting, he worked as a commercial painter in Mumbai, painting film posters and billboards across the city.