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EYE ON BOLLYWOOD OCTOBER 16, 2026 | The Indian Eye 49

and films, he remained connected to screen career with Gaman in 1978 His appeal rested on individuality their performer.
a more demanding performance tra- after training and working in the- rather than polish, conviction rather In an industry that has tradi-
dition. His portrayal of Ganpat Bel- atre. Over nearly five decades, he than charm. He could be abrasive, tionally measured success by billing,
walkar, the ageing Shakespearean won three National Film Awards unpredictable and uncompromising, box-office numbers and the size of
actor in Natsamrat (2016), brought and received the Padma Shri in 2013. both on screen and in public life. His a star’s following, Patekar offered a
together the many elements of his He also directed Prahaar: The Final career also faced controversy, includ- different definition of screen power.
craft: theatrical grandeur, wound- Attack (1991), reflecting his interest ing a sexual harassment allegation He did not need the film to revolve
ed pride, loneliness and the tragedy in discipline, social responsibility and made by actor Tanushree Dutta in around him; he could make it do so
of a man whose identity begins to the lives of ordinary people. His work 2018, which he denied. simply by being in it.
crumble when the stage falls silent. with the Naam Foundation, which he But the measure of his cinemat- The heroes had the songs, the
The performance confirmed that his co-founded to support farmers and ic legacy lies in the characters that romance and the elaborate entranc-
artistic ambitions extended well be- address rural distress, offered anoth- continue to live in popular memory. es. Nana Patekar had something
yond the conventions of commercial er dimension to a public persona of- Anna, Pratap Narayan Tilak, Joseph, harder to manufacture: the ability to
Hindi cinema. ten defined by its bluntness. Uday Shetty and Ganpat Belwalkar make an audience feel that, when-
Born Vishwanath Patekar in Patekar was not an easy fit for were vastly different men, yet each ever he was on screen, the real story
Maharashtra in 1951, he began his Bollywood’s machinery of glamour. bore the unmistakable imprint of had begun.

SALAAM BOMBAY TO WELCOME

o honour the actor’s contri- with 56 kills. The film explores the
bution to Indian cinema, let pressures he faces both from within
Tus take a look at some of the the police department and from the
remarkable performances of Nana enemies he makes because of his
Patekar in Hindi cinema. aggressive, trigger-happy methods.
Salaam Bombay! (1988) Patekar plays the character
Mira Nair’s acclaimed film, with remarkable restraint and is
which became India’s second mov- still considered one of Patekar’s
powerful performances during his
ie to receive an Oscar nomination, career.
delves into the harsh and complex
world of Mumbai’s notorious red- Welcome (2007)
light district. Told largely through This comedy entertainer gave
the perspective of a young street Nana Patekar immense fame for
boy named Chaipau, the film fea- his role as Uday Shetty in the film.
tures Nana Patekar in a striking From his impeccable comic timing
performance as Baba, a drug dealer to ruling the scenes, the film was
who embodies the darker realities one of the highlights of 2007 be-
of the world around him. It also cause of Nana Patekar.
starred late Irrfan Khan in a prom- It also starred Akshay Kumar,
inent role. Paresh Rawal, Anil Kapoor and
Parinda (1989) Katrina Kaif in the lead roles. The
The film marked one of the ac- film was directd by Anees Bazmee.
tor’s remarkable performances and Natsamrat (2016)
also starred Jackie Shroff, Anil Ka- Mahesh Manjrekar’s Natsam-
poor, and Madhuri Dixit in the lead rat centres on a celebrated theatre
roles. The actor delivered a power- actor who struggles to let go of the
ful performance as Anna, a ruthless stage even after retirement. While
ganglord who shows little mercy to the film occasionally veers into
his enemies yet reveals a softer side melodrama, ‘Natsamrat’ remains
when caring for his autistic brother. an affecting drama, anchored by a
Prahaar: The Final Attack deeply moving performance from
(1991) Nana Patekar. He brings a raw and
The film witnessed a different heartbreaking conviction to the
artistic side of Nana Patekar, as he role, making the character’s emo-
tional journey particularly powerful.
himself directed the film, which also
starred him in the lead role. Apart message about a soldier who survives Kumar and also starred Dimple Ka- Tirangaa (1993)
from Nana, the movie also starred It was a major blockbuster and
Madhuri Dixit in the lead role. the horrors of war, only to fall victim padia, Atul Agnihotri, and Mamta a massive commercial hit featuring
Kulkarni in the lead roles.
to enemies within his own society.
Nana played the role of an army of- Nana Patekar alongside veteran ac-
ficer in the film. Krantiveer (1994) Ab Tak Chhappan (2004) tor Raaj Kumar. It was directed by
The movie stood out for its The film earned Nana Patekar Based on the career of encoun- Mehul Kumar. The film is often re-
strong execution and another in- his first National Award for his per- ter specialist Daya Nayak, Shim- ferred to as one of the biggest hits
tense performance by Patekar. At formance in Indian cinema. It was it Amin’s cop thriller casts Nana of Nana Patekar. The actor played
its core, the film carries a poignant directed and produced by Mehul Patekar as a police officer credited the role of a cop in the movie.

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