CM Fadnavis Pays Last Respects to Nana Patekar at Pune Airport
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis pays tribute to veteran actor Nana Patekar at Pune airport as his mortal remains arrive for state funeral rites.
In a somber moment for the Indian film industry, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrived at the Pune airport on Thursday to pay his final respects to the legendary veteran actor Nana Patekar. The actor's mortal remains were brought to the airport before being transported to his native village for the final rites.
Offering floral tributes, the Chief Minister expressed his deep condolences to the grieving family. Fadnavis was seen providing emotional support to Nana Patekar’s wife and son, standing by them during the heavy atmosphere of loss.
State Honours for a Cinema Legend
Recognizing the monumental impact the actor had on Marathi and Hindi cinema, as well as his extensive work in theatre and various social initiatives, the Maharashtra government has announced that the actor will be accorded a state funeral. Following the tributes at the airport, the mortal remains were moved to his native Donje village in the Pune Rural district.
Adding to the solemnity of the occasion, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also traveled to the actor's native village to pay his final respects, ensuring that the leadership of the state stood in solidarity with the family.
A Final Goodbye in Goa
The journey to the final rites began following a massive outpouring of grief in Goa. Earlier in the day, a sea of fans gathered at the GMC morgue in Bambolim to bid farewell to their icon. The scene was one of intense emotion, with followers offering garlands and touching the feet of the actor's mortal remains as a mark of reverence.
Once the public had been allowed to pay their respects, the body was transferred to an ambulance to begin the final journey back to Maharashtra.
Sudden Passing Due to Cardiac Arrest
The veteran actor's untimely demise came after he suffered a severe cardiac arrest while in Goa. He was rushed to Manipal Hospital, where medical teams fought to revive him for approximately 45 minutes. Despite their best efforts, he could not be saved.
Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, confirmed the passing to the media. Since the announcement, the digital world has been flooded with heartfelt tributes from celebrities, political figures, and fans across the globe, all mourning the loss of a man whose legacy is etched deeply into the history of Indian cinema.