States » NorthPosted at: Oct 8 2026 4:23PM


Nana Patekar's enduring bond with Punjab: From Golden Temple prayers to Rs 3 lakh aid for a farmer

Neeraj Bali
Chandigarh, Oct 8 (UNI) - Veteran Bollywood actor Nana Patekar, who died at the age of 75 following a cardiac arrest at his Goa residence on Thursday, shared a deep personal connection with Punjab, where his affection for the Punjabi language, reverence for the Golden Temple and a remarkable gesture of financial assistance to a farmer reflected a side of the acclaimed actor that extended far beyond the silver screen.
Patekar, celebrated for his intense performances in films such as Parinda, Krantiveer, Prahaar, Tirangaa, Ab Tak Chhappan and Welcome, died at around 5:20 am, according to Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital. Friends and a caretaker were reportedly present at his residence when he suffered the cardiac arrest.
The actor's association with Punjab was marked by his admiration for its people, language, rural traditions and Sikh principles of equality and selfless service.
During a visit to Amritsar in January 2018 with his wife, Neelakanti Patekar, the actor paid obeisance at the Golden Temple, describing the experience as one of the most spiritually fulfilling moments of his life.
"Thank God I had the opportunity to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple during my lifetime," Patekar was quoted as saying after visiting the shrine.
The actor walked around the sacred complex and participated in seva by washing utensils in the community kitchen, an experience that reportedly left a lasting impression on him.
"I have never experienced such peace anywhere else. I wonder why I never came here earlier," he said, according to accounts of his interaction with journalists.
Patekar was particularly impressed by the spirit of equality at the shrine, where thousands of devotees, irrespective of religion, caste or social standing, eat together and participate in voluntary service.
He reportedly observed that there was no distinction between rich and poor at the Golden Temple and that the entire country could benefit from embracing the same principles.
"If the entire country understands and adopts this spirit of equality, our country will become like gold," he was quoted as saying.
His affection for Punjab extended to the Punjabi language, which he made a conscious effort to learn during the shooting of the 2009 film Ek: The Power of One in Chandigarh and other parts of the state.
Playing a Central Bureau of Investigation officer in the film, Patekar reportedly sought help from local Punjabi women to perfect his pronunciation and accent despite his distinctly Marathi manner of speaking.
"I love Punjabis," the actor was quoted as saying during a media interaction.
He recalled that his father spoke fluent Punjabi because his textile-printing business brought him into regular contact with Punjabi traders.
Patekar also frequently expressed his attachment to agriculture and rural life, describing himself as a farmer at heart.
"I am a farmer at heart," he reportedly told journalists in Chandigarh, explaining that he preferred living close to nature rather than remaining confined to the glamour of metropolitan life.
One of the most striking accounts of his generosity emerged during the shooting of the 2007 comedy Welcome, when he reportedly came to the assistance of a Chandigarh-based farmer who urgently required bypass surgery.
According to an earlier media report, Patekar learnt that Avtar Singh, the uncle of assistant director Bittu Chandok, was seriously ill and needed approximately Rs 3 lakh for the operation.
The actor reportedly responded immediately by issuing a cheque for the full amount.
He declined to describe the gesture as charity, saying Avtar Singh was of his father's age and that helping him was equivalent to helping his own father.
Patekar also reportedly reflected on his humble beginnings, acknowledging that there had been a time when he possessed very little and that whatever he had achieved was because of the support of ordinary people.
The episode reflected the actor's longstanding engagement with rural communities and farmers, an association that also found expression in his philanthropic activities outside the film industry.
His connection with Punjab continued during subsequent visits to Amritsar, including an appearance at the Attari-Wagah border, where he witnessed the Beating Retreat ceremony and participated in an anti-drug awareness run organised by the Border Security Force.
Beyond his association with Punjab, Patekar built a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, earning acclaim for his portrayal of uncompromising police officers, emotionally complex characters and powerful antagonists.
His performances in Parinda, Krantiveer and Agni Sakshi earned him major national recognition, while his portrayal of the eccentric gangster Uday Shetty in Welcome introduced his distinctive comic timing to a new generation of filmgoers.
Yet, away from cinema, Patekar cultivated an image of a man deeply attached to village life, agriculture and ordinary people.
His visits to Punjab, particularly his expressions of admiration for the Golden Temple and his reported assistance to a farmer in Chandigarh, remain among the lesser-known chapters of a career that combined cinematic success with a personal commitment to rural communities.
For admirers in Punjab, his words at the Golden Temple captured that connection: "I have never experienced such peace anywhere else."
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