Nana Patekar: The outspoken star who had friends across parties
Here's the latest update from the Bollywood world:
Widely acclaimed for his on-screen performances, star Nana Patekar has long occupied a unique space in Maharashtra’s public life. Beyond cinema, he is known for extensive social work, most notably relief initiatives for drought-hit farm families, and for warm relationships across the state’s political spectrum.
Adding to this, Nana Patekar has died at the age of 75. (Reuters) Over the decades, the star cultivated warm ties across party lines and hosted senior leaders from Maharashtra’s rival political parties for the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at his home in Mumbai and later at his farm near Pune.
Meanwhile, Yet, his willingness to speak his mind and confront the powerful landed him in row, drawing flak even from close allies.
Notably, During 1995–1999, when the Shiv Sena–BJP combine was in power and Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray was at the height of his influence, Nana Patekar publicly called him out for disparaging Marathi literary figures. “Balasaheb, you have collected an image in our hearts and even you don’t have a right to destroy it,” he shared.
As per the latest buzz, Many feared a backlash but Balasaheb took the critique in stride and the their friendship endured till his death in 2012.
In further updates, Nana Patekar had even attempted to broker peace between Balasaheb Thackeray and journalist Nikhil Wagale who had been attacked by Sena workers following his criticism of the Sena leadership.
On top of that, In an interview, Nana Patekar shared he stopped visiting Matoshree with Balasaheb’s death.
“When Balasaheb Thackeray was alive, he used to call me whenever he wants. We used to speak on phone or he used to ask me to come to Matoshree for meeting. But after his death phone calls from Matoshree stopped and my relation with that home ended,” Patekar shared.
Source: Hindustan Times