Nana Patekar stood in Shimla snow for 8 hours in 'Vanvaas': director Anil Sharma
Synopsis
Director Anil Sharma's tribute to Nana Patekar cuts deeper than most — the image of a screen legend standing motionless in Shimla snow for eight hours, refusing food, to shoot a death scene, says everything about the actor's craft and commitment that awards never quite captured.
Key Takeaways
Nana Patekar passed away on Thursday , prompting tributes from across Indian cinema.
Director Anil Sharma said 'Vanvaas' featured one of Patekar's best performances.
Patekar stood in Shimla snow for 8 hours without eating to complete the film's final death scene.
Sharma described Patekar as always on time, never using a vanity van, and camera-ready on arrival.
Patekar reportedly donated more than half his income to rural communities and walked miles to help villages near Pune access water.
Filmmaker Anil Sharma has paid an emotional tribute to actor Nana Patekar, who passed away on Thursday, recalling the late star's extraordinary dedication during the shoot of their film 'Vanvaas'. Sharma described Patekar as not just a great artist but a remarkable human being whose simplicity and generosity set him apart.
The Shimla Snow Scene
Speaking after learning of Patekar's demise, Sharma said his most cherished memory of the actor was from the final sequence of 'Vanvaas', filmed in Shimla. 'One of the best performances he did. I remember the last scene in Shimla. He stood in the snow for 8 hours,' Sharma recalled. He added that it was snowing throughout and Patekar did not even stop to eat. 'That was his death scene. I remember that,' Sharma said.
A Man Without Affectations
Sharma described Patekar as an actor who stripped away every on-set luxury. According to the director, Patekar never arrived late, never retreated to a vanity van, and came to set already prepared. 'He used to go straight in front of the camera. He never went in a van or anywhere. He used to get ready and come,' Sharma said. He added that there was rarely any discussion on set, and when there was, Patekar would quietly step aside with the director rather than hold up the shoot.
Generosity Off Screen
Beyond his craft, Sharma spoke of Patekar's lesser-known humanitarian side. He noted that the actor had walked miles in villages near Pune to help communities access water, and reportedly donated more than half his income to rural causes. 'Such a great artist, such a great human being. He was more than a great society,' Sharma said. He urged the public to look past misconceptions about the actor, calling him jovial and generous to those around him.
The Shock of the News
Sharma said he was in shock for several minutes after waking up to news of Patekar's death. 'First of all, as soon as I woke up in the morning, I heard this news. I don't know how to express myself,' he said. He described Patekar as a once-in-a-generation personality, saying, 'Not only in India, but the whole world will miss a personality like Nana Patekar. Such people are sometimes born on earth.'
Legacy and Farewell
Patekar had a career spanning several decades, with celebrated performances across both mainstream Hindi cinema and parallel films. 'Vanvaas', directed by Sharma, stands as one of his final notable works. The film industry and fans across the country have mourned the loss of one of Indian cinema's most distinctive voices. Tributes are continuing to pour in from colleagues, co-stars, and admirers.
Point of View
Verifiable image: a man standing in falling snow for eight hours, unfed, to get a death scene right. That detail is more revealing than a filmography. Patekar occupied a peculiar space in Indian cinema — too intense for the mainstream's comfort, too large for parallel cinema to contain — and tributes like this one suggest the industry is only beginning to reckon with what it has lost. The reports of his rural philanthropy, largely absent from his public persona, add a dimension that his own famous reticence never allowed audiences to see.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Nana Patekar pass away?
Nana Patekar passed away on Thursday, according to reports. The specific circumstances of his death have not been detailed in available accounts, and tributes from colleagues and directors began emerging shortly after the news broke.
What did Anil Sharma say about Nana Patekar's performance in 'Vanvaas'?
Director Anil Sharma called 'Vanvaas' his favourite Nana Patekar film, describing it as one of the actor's best performances. He recalled Patekar standing in Shimla snow for eight hours without food to shoot the film's final death scene.
What kind of person was Nana Patekar off screen, according to Anil Sharma?
Sharma described Patekar as deeply generous, jovial, and without any star affectations. He reportedly donated more than half his income to rural causes, walked miles to help villages near Pune access water, and never arrived late to a film set.
What is the film 'Vanvaas' directed by Anil Sharma?
'Vanvaas' is a Hindi film directed by Anil Sharma in which Nana Patekar delivered what Sharma considers one of the actor's finest performances. A climactic scene was shot on location in Shimla.
How is the film industry reacting to Nana Patekar's death?
Tributes have been pouring in from across Indian cinema following Patekar's death. Director Anil Sharma said he was in shock for several minutes after hearing the news, describing Patekar as a once-in-a-generation personality whose loss will be felt globally.
