How Nana Patekar Embraced Lucknow While Filming Prakash Jha's 'Sankalp' and Cheered UP Film Policy

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-10-08 16:49:00

Following the sudden passing of legendary screen veteran Nana Patekar at 75 in Goa on Thursday, October 8, 2026, fond memories of his deep artistic and cultural ties with Uttar Pradesh have resurfaced across the state capital, Lucknow. From shooting Prakash Jha’s acclaimed political drama web series Sankalp across historic city locations to filming public awareness commercials for the state administration, Patekar maintained an active bond with the region. Known for his candid worldview, the actor had recently shared a public platform with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at Lok Bhavan, lauding the state's transformed law enforcement machinery and progressive film incentives.

Sharing the Stage with CM Yogi Adityanath: 'Real Policemen Don't Have Any Retakes'

Patekar’s memorable final public engagement in Lucknow took place on August 14 at Lok Bhavan during the official unveiling of the Uttar Pradesh Police theme song, 'Khaki Ka Sitara':

Chief Guest Honor: Invited as the distinguished guest of honor by the top brass of the state police department, Patekar joined Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to celebrate grassroots policing.

Tribute to Police Realities: Addressing the audience, Patekar drew a stark contrast between cinema and reality, observing, "We actors play police on screen, but real policemen don't have any retakes."

Witty Exchange with State DGP: When Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna urged him to soften the harsh cinematic portrayal of police officers in commercial cinema, Patekar offered his trademark wry smile, affirming his deep respect for law enforcement personnel who operate on the frontlines without second chances.

Film Bandhu and Ground Subsidies: Why Nana Patekar Championed UP's Film Policy

During the extensive 2023 filming schedules of Prakash Jha's web series Sankalp, the late actor forged a close working relationship with the state's cultural administration:

Praise from Dinesh Sehgal: Former Director of Film Bandhu Dinesh Sehgal recalled several extensive interactions with the veteran, noting that Patekar frequently termed Uttar Pradesh's single-window clearance and incentive structure superior to any other state policy in the country.

Active Support for Filmmakers: The actor noted that the infrastructural subsidies and security apparatus provided to production units made Uttar Pradesh an effortless shooting destination for mainstream and parallel cinema.

Backing CM Yogi's Mumbai Outreach: Patekar openly commended Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's high-level visits to Mumbai to invite entertainment industry stalwarts, stating that bringing big-budget cinema to UP fostered regional talent and decentralized filmmaking away from legacy hubs.

Pro Bono Public Awareness Films: Demonstrating his commitment to public welfare, Patekar also completed commercial shoots for citizen awareness campaigns spearheaded by the UP Police during his subsequent visits to the city.

Beyond the Stern Persona: Lucknow Co-Actor Simran Awasthi Recalls His Warmth on 'Sankalp' Sets

While the actor was known nationwide for his intense dialogue delivery and fierce on-screen anger, local performers experienced an entirely different side of him behind the scenes:

Initial Hesitation: Lucknow-based actress Simran Awasthi, who shared the screen with Patekar for roughly 18 to 20 days during the shooting of Sankalp, recounted working alongside him with palpable fear during the first few days of production.

A Transformation of Perspective: Awasthi shared that as filming progressed, her perception shifted completely upon discovering his nurturing, deeply empathetic nature.

Caring for Co-Stars: Rather than maintaining a distant superstar aura, Patekar consistently checked on the personal well-being, dietary comfort, and confidence of junior artists and regional actors on set, treating the team like an extended family.

Art with Responsibility: Observers in Lucknow remembered him as an artist who saw acting not merely as glamour or commerce, but as a cultural craft that must remain anchored in the everyday realities of common citizens.

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