Actor Rajpal Yadav has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Nana Patekar, sharing a throwback video on social media and recalling cherished memories of the veteran actor, who passed away on 8 October 2026 at the age of 75 following a cardiac arrest in Mumbai. The clip and an accompanying written post have drawn widespread attention from the film fraternity and fans mourning the loss of one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated performers.

The Throwback Moment

In the video shared on his official social media handle, Rajpal and Nana Patekar are seen sharing a warm, light-hearted exchange — with Nana affectionately serving food to his colleague. As Nana handed over a piece of bread, Rajpal quipped, 'Aapke haath main ye mera pao', sending everyone present into laughter. The brief clip encapsulates the easy camaraderie the two actors shared over decades in the industry.

Rajpal's Tribute in His Own Words

Expressing his grief, Rajpal wrote on Instagram: 'Some meetings and some people always stay in your memory. Recently, I had the privilege of sharing the screen again with Nana Bhau during 'Vanvas.' After so many years of watching and appreciating his acting, working with him again was an incredibly special experience for me. I've had the chance to know him not just through his characters but personally as well, meeting him several times, and the memories of his simplicity and warmth will always stay with me. Of course, there's sadness in losing an extraordinary artist, but the pain of losing such a beautiful human being is even greater.'

He added: 'Bhau, your work and memories will always remain with us. Heartfelt tribute.' The post underscored a bond that went well beyond professional collaboration, with Rajpal noting that Nana's personal warmth left as deep an impression as his on-screen brilliance.

Their Shared Screen Journey

The two actors had collaborated across several films over two decades. Their projects together include Darna Mana Hai (2003), Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal (2012), Housefull 4 (2019), and most recently the 2024 family entertainer Vanvaas. Rajpal specifically singled out Vanvaas as a particularly meaningful reunion — noting that after years of admiring Nana's craft from a distance, getting to share the frame with him again felt extraordinary.

How Nana Patekar Died

Nana Patekar passed away on 8 October 2026, aged 75, after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was reportedly found unconscious at his home and was rushed to Manipal Hospital, where doctors reportedly attempted to revive him through continuous CPR for around 45 minutes. Their efforts, according to reports, were unsuccessful. The news has triggered an outpouring of grief from across the entertainment industry, with tributes continuing to pour in.

A Career That Defined an Era

Nana Patekar was widely regarded as one of the most intense and versatile actors in Indian cinema, with a body of work that spanned art-house films, blockbusters, and everything in between. His passing marks the end of an era for a generation of cinephiles who grew up watching his transformative performances. The grief expressed by colleagues like Rajpal reflects not just the loss of a gifted artist, but, as Rajpal put it, the loss of a genuinely 'beautiful human being' whose simplicity and warmth touched those who knew him personally.