Actor Nana Patekar Passes Away at 75

Renowned actor Nana Patekar has passed away at the age of 75. He never entered electoral politics, but politics remained a constant presence throughout his public life. He maintained close ties with leaders from across different political parties, was approached multiple times to contest elections, and remained strictly unwilling to join any party. Patekar's most pointed political intervention took place in October 2022. This happened months after the Shiv Sena split and the formation of the Eknath Shinde -led BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra. At an event, Patekar interviewed Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis. He questioned them about the political turmoil in Maharashtra and asked Shinde why it took two and a half years to rebel against the Uddhav Thackeray -led government. He also asked the leaders if voters had any value once elections were over, and questioned why politicians were not held accountable for mistakes the way ordinary citizens were. He contrasted the wealth of modern politicians with former Maharashtra chief minister Y B Chavan. Patekar noted that Chavan had only Rs 25,000 in his bank account at the time of his death, whereas a corporator could earn crores within a year of getting elected. His sharpest question focused on families divided by political splits. He also questioned the falling standards of political discourse and the use of abusive language. Patekar's relationship with Maharashtra's political class spanned decades. He viewed Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray as a father figure, though he also publicly criticised him at times. In 2013, he appealed to Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray to set aside their differences. He also shared a close bond with NCP founder Sharad Pawar, whom he called his hero and the Chanakya of Indian politics in 2020. His friendships crossed party lines, including thanking Amit Shah for helping the Naam Foundation, which Patekar co-founded with actor Makarand Anaspure to assist farmers in drought-hit areas. Political parties repeatedly approached him to run for office. In 2014, the BJP approached him to contest the Lok Sabha election from Mumbai North Central against Congress leader Priya Dutt, but he declined. Ten years later, parties approached him again for the 2024 Lok Sabha election, with speculation around Shirur, but he again refused. Speaking to farmers in Nashik in March 2024, he stated that he could not join politics because he was an outspoken person who would confront politicians directly. In December 2023, he praised the Narendra Modi government and stated there was no alternative, yet he continued to criticise politicians over issues like farmers, corruption, and party functioning. His public work frequently addressed issues affecting ordinary people. In 2015, while helping families of farmers who died by suicide, he urged Pawar, Narayan Rane, and Fadnavis to work together on the drought. In 2025, he told students that young people should not allow themselves to be divided by caste politics and should use their vote to bring change. In a 2023 interview, he also stated that politics had divided Mumbai's social fabric by drawing people into arguments over religion and caste.

Context

Nana Patekar occupied a rare space in public life as a major cinematic figure who used his cultural standing to engage directly with political leaders without seeking institutional power. His ability to maintain close personal friendships across opposing parties while publicly questioning those same leaders allowed him to function as an independent voice on social issues in Maharashtra.