Thousands of people gathered in Pune late Thursday night to bid a final farewell to veteran actor Nana Patekar, whose mortal remains were consigned to flames at his farmhouse in Donje village.
The 75-year-old actor, known for his memorable performances in films such as Krantiveer and Khamoshi: The Musical, was cremated with full state honours amid chants of “Nana Amar Rahe” (Long Live Nana). His son, Malhar Patekar, lit the funeral pyre.
According to his aides, Patekar had expressed a wish to be cremated at his farmhouse.
Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid his respects at Pune International Airport when Patekar’s mortal remains arrived from Goa.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Union Ministers Ramdas Athawale and Murlidhar Mohol, state ministers Chandrakant Patil, Uday Samant and Madhuri Misal, Lok Sabha MP Sunil Tatkare, NAAM Foundation co-founder and actor Makarand Anaspure, FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, actor Jackie Shroff, Sajid, filmmakers Anil Sharma and Sajid Nadiadwala, and several other personalities from Bollywood, politics, sports and the social sector attended the last rites.
Patekar died at his home in Goa in the early hours of Thursday. Doctors said he was suspected to have suffered a heart attack.