Veteran actor Saira Banu has paid tribute to Nana Patekar, remembering not only his contribution to Indian cinema but also a deeply personal anecdote he once shared about her late husband, legendary actor Dilip Kumar. In a social media post, Banu recalled how a simple act of kindness by Dilip Kumar left a lasting impression on Patekar after he won the Best Actor award for ‘Krantiveer’.
Saira Banu mourns Nana Patekar
Expressing her grief over Patekar’s reported death, Saira Banu described the loss as heartbreaking for Indian cinema. She wrote, “The passing of Nana Patekar ji is a heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema. We have lost an extraordinary artist, a performer of rare intensity, and a man whose presence on screen was as unforgettable as the person he was beyond it. My heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, and the countless admirers who cherished his work.”
Saira Banu recalls Nana Patekar’s meeting with Dilip Kumar
Looking back on a memory Patekar had shared with her, Banu recounted how Dilip Kumar invited the actor to their home in Pali Hill after his Best Actor win for ‘Krantiveer’. However, heavy rain left Patekar completely drenched by the time he arrived.Recalling the incident, Banu wrote, “After Nana ji received the Best Actor award for Krantiveer, Dilip Sahib invited him to our home in Pali Hill. As fate would have it, it began to rain heavily on his way to meet Sahib, and by the time he arrived, he was completely drenched. When Dilip Sahib saw him standing there, soaking wet, he did not make a fuss or utter a word. He simply went inside, brought a towel, gently dried Nana ji’s head, and then brought him a fresh shirt to change into.”She reflected on the significance of the gesture, adding, “Just imagine that moment. Here was Dilip Sahib, an institution in himself, a legend whose very presence was an honour, expressing his affection not through grand words or gestures, but through the simplest, most beautiful act of kindness.”
‘Isse bada kya award chahiye ek insaan ko?’
According to Banu, the memory stayed with Patekar long after the meeting. She recalled his words about the warmth and respect he received from the veteran actor.“Nana ji later said something that touched my heart deeply: ‘Isse bada kya award chahiye ek insaan ko?’ And truly, what greater award can life give you than the love, warmth, and respect of someone you have admired so deeply?”Concluding her tribute, Banu wrote, “May he be remembered not only for the extraordinary characters he brought to life, but also for the memories, emotions, and impressions he leaves behind. Rest in peace, Nana ji. You will be deeply missed.”
Reports on Nana Patekar’s death
Nana Patekar passed away on October 8, 2026, at the age of 75 following a sudden cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa. After experiencing a cardiac emergency during the early morning hours, he was rushed to Manipal Hospital, Goa, in an unconscious state. Emergency medical staff attempted resuscitation efforts (CPR) for roughly 45 minutes, but he could not be revived and was declared dead at 5:20 AM. His last rites were performed with full state honours at his farmhouse in Donje village near Pune, Maharashtra, in the presence of family members, dignitaries, and industry colleagues.A recipient of three National Film Awards and the Padma Shri, Patekar was celebrated for iconic roles in films such as ‘Parinda’, ‘Krantiveer’, ‘Ab Tak Chhappan’, ‘Welcome’, and ‘Natsamrat’, as well as his philanthropic work with the Naam Foundation.
