‘I’ll come tomorrow for dubbing…’: Nana Patekar’s ‘The Confession’ co-producer recalls last conversation
Co-producer Subhash Kale shares heartbreaking details of his last conversation with Nana Patekar before the veteran actor's sudden passing.
The Indian film industry is reeling in profound shock following the sudden demise of veteran actor Nana Patekar. The news has left colleagues and collaborators struggling to process the loss of one of the most respected figures in both Hindi and Marathi cinema.
‘I’ll come tomorrow for dubbing’: Co-producer recalls Nana Patekar’s last words
Subhash Kale, the co-producer of the upcoming crime thriller The Confession (also known as The Confession of Mary), shared a heartbreaking account of his final interaction with the legendary actor. The conversation, which took place just two days before the tragedy, highlights how close the actor was to completing his professional commitments.
A Final Promise Unfulfilled
According to Kale, the actor was fully prepared to return to Mumbai to wrap up his work. "We had spoken just the day before yesterday about the dubbing. There was one line that he had to dub. He told me, 'I am coming to Bombay,'" Kale recalled, visibly shaken by the news. "He was supposed to come to Bombay tomorrow, and he also had a shoot scheduled in Bombay for a film. He told me, 'I’ll come tomorrow, and we’ll do that one line.'"
The co-producer described the news as "unbelievable" and "a huge grief" for the entire industry. He recounted the moment he realized the gravity of the situation: "I found out at around 7:30 this morning, as soon as I woke up, and I was completely shaken... I immediately called Malhar, and it was confirmed."
A Bond Beyond the Screen
Beyond their professional relationship, Kale spoke of a deep personal friendship. He remembered the actor's habit of reaching out whenever he visited the city. "Whenever he came to Mumbai, the first call would be to me: 'I am coming to the studio.' We would sit together, have a lot of fun, joke around, sing songs... He was just incredible," Kale added, struggling to find words to express the void left behind.
The Final Hours in Goa
Nana Patekar passed away on Thursday at the age of 75. The veteran actor suffered a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. Medical reports indicate that the actor had sensed something was wrong in the early hours of the morning. Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, confirmed that Patekar had sent a message to a friend around 2:30 am stating he was not feeling well.
A friend reached his residence at approximately 4:00 am, and the actor was rushed to Manipal Hospital. Despite doctors' intensive efforts to revive him for 45 minutes, he could not be saved.
A Legendary Legacy
Nana Patekar’s career spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema. From his debut in the 1978 film Gaman to iconic roles in masterpieces such as:
- Parinda
- Prahar
- Angaar
- Krantiveer
- Tiranga
- Khamoshi
- Ab Tak Chhappan
Even in his later years, he remained an active and sought-after performer, with recent appearances in Housefull 5 and Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo. His passing marks the end of an era for actors who defined intensity and realism on the silver screen.