'Love you, Bala': Tukaram Mundhe recalls last conversation with Nana Patekar
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe shares emotional memories of his last conversation with veteran actor Nana Patekar.
The entertainment industry and administrative circles are in mourning following the sudden demise of veteran actor Nana Patekar. Amidst the grief, Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has shared deeply personal and emotional memories of his close friendship with the legendary performer, revealing the heartwarming nature of their Nana Patekar last conversation.
A Heartwarming Final Interaction
Recalling the final time they spoke, Mundhe noted that the interaction took place just one week prior to the actor's passing. Despite the heavy atmosphere of loss, Mundhe remembers the conversation as being incredibly kind and characteristic of the actor's personality.
"He was a very close friend of mine. Our last interaction was just one week ago, and we interacted as usual. It was very lovely. He asked about my family and my children, how they were. And the last words he said were, ‘Love you, Bala.’ I think that’s typical Nana, love to everybody," Mundhe said.
Mundhe expressed that while the actor would no longer be physically present, his spirit and the warmth he extended to everyone would remain with them forever.
A Friendship Born in Solapur
The bond between the high-ranking official and the cinema icon dates back nearly a decade. Mundhe recounted that their friendship began in 2015 during his tenure as the District Collector of Solapur.
At that time, Patekar had visited the district for work related to his project 'Naam'. The two shared a meal at the Collector's residence, a meeting that laid the foundation for a long-standing connection. Although their professional responsibilities meant they could not meet frequently, they maintained a continuous and regular line of communication through phone calls and regular check-ins.
Mundhe even revealed that they had been planning a special public engagement where Patekar was set to interview him on stage. "One of the things that finally remained was something that we had planned. The date was not finalised, but we were supposed to share the same stage at a public programme, where he was to interview me. Unfortunately, it couldn’t happen," he lamented.
The Final Moments
The veteran actor passed away following a severe cardiac arrest. Details regarding his final hours suggest a sudden medical emergency. According to Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, Patekar had sent a message to a friend around 2:30 am, indicating that he was feeling unwell. By the time a friend reached his residence at 4:00 am, the situation had become critical.
Medical teams at Manipal Hospital worked for approximately 45 minutes to revive him, but ultimately, the 75-year-old actor could not be saved.
A Legacy in Cinema
Nana Patekar leaves behind a monumental legacy in both Hindi and Marathi cinema. Having started his journey with the 1978 film Gaman, he rose to become one of India's most respected actors through powerhouse performances in classics such as:
- Parinda
- Prahar
- Angaar
- Krantiveer
- Tiranga
- Khamoshi
- Ab Tak Chhappan
Even in his later years, Patekar remained a sought-after talent. His recent filmography included a role in Housefull 5 alongside Akshay Kumar and Abhishek Bachchan, a police officer role in Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo, and a cameo in Subedar featuring Anil Kapoor.