Oct 08, 2026 9:30am IST
Prakash Jha Breaks Down: ‘Where Will I Find A Replacement For Nana Patekar in ‘Raajneeti 2’
Nana Patekar is no more. He suffered a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa and was declared dead at approximately 5:20 AM today, October 8. Medical teams at Manipal Hospital attempted to revive him with CPR for about 45 minutes, but he could not be saved. His son, Malhar Patekar, confirmed the news. Known for his powerhouse performances, intense dialogue delivery, and distinct screen presence, Nana Patekar built an iconic multi-decade career across theater, television, and cinema.
Nana Patekar was also deeply respected for his patriotism and extensive humanitarian work. He served in the Territorial Army, participating in the 1999 Kargil War and retired as an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel. In 2015, he co-founded the Naam Foundation to provide critical financial and drought-relief assistance to distressed farmer families across Maharashtra.
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Filmmaker Prakash Jha, who was very close to Patekar, is in a state of shock. “I was about to enter to shoot in a prison when I heard this news. I called his son Malhar to confirm the news. Nana was in Goa and in absolutely good health. Suddenly, he felt uneasy. By the time they called a doctor, he was gone. He had a massive heart attack. Man, what a way to start the day!”
He continues, “Nana was much more than an integral part of my cinema. He was a very, very dear friend. One of the few close friends I had. We used to talk every other day, if not every day. As I speak, the enormity of the loss is hitting me big time.”
Patekar was known to creatively spar with his directors. And although Nana Patekar and Prakash Jha were best friends, they had a massive fallout during the making of Jha’s ‘Raajneeti.’
The actor, in an emotional interview with this writer about the fallout, said, “I know I get abusive, very abusive, when I’m angry. This isn’t the first time it has happened. I’ve repeatedly tried to curb my temper. But kya karoon? Main aisa hi hoon. I’ve lost a lot in life because of my nature.”
Jha recalls his association with Patekar. “We did a lot of work together. Yes, we used to have our fights. We did fight during ‘Raajneeti.’ But I was one of the few directors who could control his temper. We would argue and not speak for days, weeks, even months. And then, he would be okay again. Nana was very volatile, very passionate. Lekin woh dil ka bahot saaf tha…. My last work with him was the series’ Sankalp.’ I was supposed to start ‘Raajneeti 2’ with Nana next year. Now who will I get in his place? Nana was irreplaceable. All our work together - ‘Apaharan,’ ‘Raajneeti,’ ‘Sankalp’ - were special. I don’t think I have worked with a better actor till date.”
Jha gets emotional while speaking of Patekar’s generosity. “He gave away all the money that he made. I remember, while I was working with flood victims in Bihar, he quietly sent me a huge amount of money for relief work. The most basic thing I can say about Nana is that he was one of his kind.”
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