Pune, October 12: Marathi filmmaker Pravin Tarde has expressed disappointment over the limited presence of Bollywood celebrities at veteran actor Nana Patekar’s funeral, saying that those who considered themselves his friends should have been present to pay their final respects.
In an interaction with the media, Tarde criticised the absence of several prominent film industry personalities at the funeral, which was held at Patekar’s farmhouse in Donje village near Pune. He emphasised that the actor’s greatness could not be measured by the number of Bollywood stars who attended his last rites.
“Those whom Nana called his friends should have been there,” Tarde said, expressing his disappointment over the turnout.
He further remarked that Bollywood’s limited presence did not diminish Patekar’s stature. “Bollywood is not bigger than Nana,” he said, underlining the veteran actor’s independent identity and his deep connection with ordinary people.
‘Nana always used to say he was a farmer’
Tarde also highlighted Patekar’s close association with rural life and farmers, suggesting that the actor never defined himself solely through his Bollywood career.
“In my opinion, a farmer who came from Dhule is much greater than Bollywood heroes. It makes no difference to us. When did Nana ever say that he belonged to Bollywood? Nana always used to say that he was a farmer,” Tarde said.
The filmmaker’s remarks drew attention to Patekar’s public image beyond cinema, particularly his connection with farming communities and his work on social issues.
Political leaders and celebrities paid tribute
Patekar’s final rites were performed with full state honours at his farmhouse in Donje village, Pune. His son, Malhar Patekar, performed the last rites in the presence of family members, relatives, friends and admirers. A ceremonial guard of honour was accorded to the actor before the cremation.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, and several other political figures paid their respects. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale and Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol were also among those who attended.
Veteran actor Jackie Shroff and singer Suresh Wadkar were among the prominent film industry personalities present at the funeral. Several other celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, paid tribute to Patekar through social media posts.
A career beyond Bollywood
Nana Patekar was widely recognised for his powerful performances across Hindi and Marathi cinema. Over the years, he earned a reputation for portraying complex characters and maintaining a distinctive public persona.
Tarde’s comments have brought renewed attention to the relationship between celebrity culture and personal friendships, raising questions about how an artist’s legacy should be remembered.
For the filmmaker, the number of industry figures attending the funeral was not a measure of Patekar’s worth. His remarks instead emphasised the actor’s bond with ordinary people and the respect he commanded beyond the film industry.
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