Veteran actor Nana Patekar cremated with full state honours in Pune

Veteran actor Nana Patekar was cremated with full state honours late on Thursday night at his farmhouse in Donje village, near Pune, following his death at the age of 75. Thousands of people gathered to pay their final respects to the actor, who passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning in Goa after doctors suspected he suffered a heart attack. His son, Malhar Patekar, performed the final rites and lit the funeral pyre. Patekar's mortal remains were first brought to Pune International Airport, where Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid his respects. The body was then transported by road to the Donje farmhouse, draped in the Tricolour and accompanied by a marching band, fulfilling a wish he had expressed to his aides.

Dignitaries and Public Turnout

More than 1,000 people, along with hundreds who queued from the afternoon under the hot sun, attended the ceremony amidst chants of "Nana Patekar amar rahe!" Prominent figures present at the last rites included Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Union Ministers Ramdas Athawale and Murlidhar Mohol, state ministers Chandrakant Patil, Uday Samant and Madhuri Misal, and Lok Sabha MP Sunil Tatkare. Bollywood personalities and filmmakers such as Jackie Shroff, Anil Sharma, Sajid Nadiadwala, and NAAM Foundation co-founder and actor Makarand Anaspure also attended.

Social Impact

Beyond his work in films like Krantiveer and Khamoshi: The Musical, Patekar was widely known for his deep concern for farmers and rural communities. In response to severe drought conditions in Maharashtra, he co-founded the NAAM Foundation alongside actor Makarand Anaspure to support drought-hit farmers across the state.

Context

State honours during a funeral are typically reserved by the government for distinguished personalities, artists, and leaders who have made exceptional contributions to public life, culture, or society. The large public turnout and presence of senior political leaders reflect Patekar's immense standing as both a celebrated cinematic figure and a dedicated social activist in India.