Mamta Kulkarni remembers Nana Patekar: 'He treated me like a child'
Synopsis
Hours after Nana Patekar's death at 75, actress Mamta Kulkarni offered one of the most personal tributes yet — not of the award-winning actor, but of the man who played badminton at dawn and scolded her for leaving home with wet hair. Her account of their years as Lokhandwala neighbours paints a portrait of a star who never acted like one.
Key Takeaways
Nana Patekar passed away on 8 October 2026 at the age of 75 .
Actress Mamta Kulkarni worked with Patekar on two films — 'Tiranga' and 'Krantiveer' — both directed by Mehul Kumar .
The two actors lived in the same building in Lokhandwala, Mumbai , where Patekar reportedly showed her paternal care.
Kulkarni recalled Patekar advising her to dry her wet hair before early-morning shoots, concerned she would fall ill.
She described him as 'a down-to-earth person' with 'no star-like personality' despite his film awards.
Actress Mamta Kulkarni has shared warm memories of veteran actor Nana Patekar, who passed away on 8 October 2026 at the age of 75, describing him as a deeply caring and unpretentious man who looked out for her like a parent during their years as neighbours in Mumbai's Lokhandwala.
Two Films, One Neighbourhood
Kulkarni recalled working with Patekar on two films — 'Tiranga', which she described as a 'super hit', and 'Krantiveer', which went on to become a blockbuster. Both were directed by filmmaker Mehul Kumar. Beyond the film set, the two actors shared a building in Lokhandwala, a proximity that fostered a familial bond between them.
'It is very sad that Nana Patekar is no more. You all know that I have worked with him in two films. Both of them are made by the same maker, Mr. Mehul Kumar. I worked with him in the film, Tiranga, which became a super hit. Then I worked with him in the film, Krantiveer, which became a blockbuster. Nana Patekar and I used to live in the same building in Lokhandwala,' she said.
The Early-Morning Encounters
Kulkarni recalled that she would often leave for shoots as early as 5:30 or 6 in the morning, frequently crossing paths with Patekar, who would be playing badminton at that hour. She said he would notice her wet hair and urge her to return home and dry it before heading to the set, worried she would fall ill.
'I used to leave for shooting at 5.30 or 6 in the morning. Nana Patekar used to play badminton when I left. Whenever I saw him, I used to lower my glasses. I used to greet him. I used to tell him that my hair is wet. He used to tell me to go home and dry my hair. I used to tell him that I am going on a set. He used to tell me to go home or else I would fall sick. He treated me like a child,' she recalled.
A Star Without Airs
The actress, known for her role in 'Karan Arjun', spoke at length about Patekar's simplicity and his complete absence of stardom-driven ego. She noted that despite winning awards for both 'Tiranga' and 'Krantiveer', he remained grounded and accessible.
Kulkarni also recalled visiting him at his home, where he would sit on the terrace rather than receive guests in any grand fashion. When she once asked for tea, he directed her to the kitchen to make it herself — a gesture she remembered fondly as a reflection of his unpretentious personality. 'He was a very simple man. He used to sit on the terrace. There was no star-like personality,' she said.
Remembering Nana Patekar
Nana Patekar's passing on 8 October 2026 has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the Indian film industry. Known for landmark performances across decades of Hindi cinema, Patekar leaves behind a legacy that spans acclaimed dramatic roles and deeply remembered screen partnerships. Kulkarni's tribute adds a personal, humanising dimension to that legacy — the portrait not of a screen icon but of a quietly generous neighbour.
Point of View
But Kulkarni's account stands apart because it sidesteps the screen legend entirely. The badminton-at-dawn, the wet-hair scolding, the self-service tea — these details humanise a figure Indian cinema has long mythologised. What is quietly significant here is also the window into an older Bollywood culture in which stars of Patekar's stature lived in the same apartment blocks as their co-stars and behaved accordingly. That world, and that generation of actors, is now visibly passing.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Nana Patekar pass away?
Nana Patekar passed away on 8 October 2026 at the age of 75. His death prompted widespread tributes from across the Indian film industry.
Which films did Mamta Kulkarni and Nana Patekar work on together?
Mamta Kulkarni and Nana Patekar appeared together in 'Tiranga' and 'Krantiveer', both directed by Mehul Kumar. 'Tiranga' was a super hit and 'Krantiveer' went on to become a blockbuster; Patekar won awards for both films.
How did Mamta Kulkarni know Nana Patekar personally?
Beyond their film work, the two actors lived in the same building in Lokhandwala, Mumbai. Kulkarni recalled regular early-morning encounters in which Patekar, who played badminton at dawn, would look out for her with fatherly concern.
What did Mamta Kulkarni say about Nana Patekar's personality?
Kulkarni described Patekar as 'a down-to-earth person' and 'a very simple man' who displayed no star-like ego. She recalled him sitting on his terrace and even sending her to the kitchen to make her own tea when she visited.
What is Nana Patekar best known for?
Nana Patekar is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished actors in Hindi cinema, celebrated for intense dramatic performances across decades. His roles in films such as 'Krantiveer' earned him national recognition and major awards.
