Filmmaker Anil Sharma Recalls Nana Patekar Feeding Crew With His Own Hands on 'Vanvaas' Sets

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-10-09 06:55:00

As the film fraternity continues to mourn the sudden passing of legendary actor Nana Patekar, filmmaker Anil Sharma—celebrated for directing the blockbuster Gadar franchise—has shared deeply touching, lesser-known memories of working with the icon on their 2024 film Vanvaas. In an exclusive conversation, Sharma painted a warm picture of a man whose off-screen persona was defined by profound humility, fierce social commitment, and incredible hospitality, shattering common myths about the veteran actor's intensity on set.

'The Easiest Person to Work With': Anil Sharma Recalls Vanvaas Memories

Reflecting on his close association with the late actor, Anil Sharma expressed that losing Nana Patekar is a monumental void that extends far beyond the entertainment industry:

A National Loss: Calling him a towering performer, Sharma noted that Patekar's departure is an irreparable loss for the entire country, describing him as a deeply committed individual who lived for his art and his people.

Feeding the Crew With His Own Hands: Shattering the industry narrative that working with Patekar was difficult, Sharma shared a touching memory: "The time I spent with him, I remember him feeding everyone on the set with his own hands, talking to everyone. People say that working with him was difficult, but I feel there could not have been anyone easier to work with than him."

A True 'Natsamrat': Praising his unmatched theatrical genius and magnetic personality, Sharma concluded with an emotional farewell: "An amazing person, an amazing personality... I love you, Nana sir. There can never be another Natsamrat."

Champion of the Poor: Philanthropy and Water Conservation

Beyond the silver screen, Sharma highlighted Nana Patekar's relentless dedication to grassroots social welfare:

Donating More Than Half His Earnings: The filmmaker revealed that Patekar routinely channeled a major portion of his earnings directly into charitable causes, supporting the underprivileged without seeking public applause.

Water Conservation in Rural Maharashtra: Patekar spent countless hours walking through forests, remote villages, and drought-hit regions to spearhead water conservation initiatives and provide personal assistance to distressed farming communities.

Inside Nana Patekar’s Final Hours in Goa: Medical Details Emerge

Recalling the tragic final moments of the 75-year-old actor's life at his Goa residence, Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Head of the Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, shared official medical accounts:

Late Night Distress: According to medical timelines, Patekar messaged a friend around 2:30 AM stating he was feeling unwell, though the message went unseen due to the late hour.

Emergency Response: Upon checking his phone, the friend rushed to Patekar's residence around 4:00 AM, finding the actor sweating heavily and losing consciousness.

Resuscitation Efforts: An ambulance and emergency medical team were immediately dispatched, administering on-site cardiac massage before rushing him to the hospital. Despite 45 to 60 minutes of intensive resuscitation efforts by doctors, he had already passed away and was officially pronounced dead at approximately 5:30 AM on Thursday. Because it was registered as a medico-legal case (MLC), his mortal remains were sent to Goa Medical College for post-mortem examinations.

Previous Post

When Kiara Advani was shaken by the comments, she started believing the trolls; she shared a shocking story

Next Post

Ajay Devgn’s Thriller Smashes Mohanlal’s 'Drishyam 3' Lifetime Record in Just One Week With ₹360 Crore Worldwide