Sanjay Kapoor recalls Nana Patekar's role in 'Raja' after veteran actor's death
Synopsis
Nana Patekar's death at 75 has drawn deeply personal tributes — none more revealing than Sanjay Kapoor's disclosure that Patekar was originally cast in 'Raja' (1995) and had already shot 7–8 days before withdrawing. The detail reframes a decades-long friendship as one that began at the very start of Kapoor's career and lasted through their most recent collaboration, 'Sankalp'.
Key Takeaways
Nana Patekar passed away on 8 October at the age of 75 , reportedly after being found unconscious at his Goa residence following intense chest discomfort.
Sanjay Kapoor revealed that Patekar was originally cast to play his elder brother in the 1995 film 'Raja' , directed by Indra Kumar .
Patekar had completed 7–8 days of shooting on 'Raja' before withdrawing from the project.
The two actors also worked together in 'Shakti: The Power' (directed by Krishna Vamsi ) and most recently on 'Sankalp' .
Tributes from across the Indian film industry continue to pour in for the veteran actor.
Actor Sanjay Kapoor has revealed that veteran star Nana Patekar was originally cast to play his elder brother in the 1995 film 'Raja', directed by Indra Kumar — a personal detail that surfaced amid an outpouring of grief following Patekar's death on 8 October 2026 at the age of 75. Kapoor disclosed that Patekar had even completed 7–8 days of shooting before being compelled to withdraw from the project.
Sanjay Kapoor's Tribute
Taking to his official Instagram handle on Thursday, Kapoor shared a heartfelt message: 'Shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Nana Sir. What a huge loss for the industry, and what an incredibly personal loss it is for me. Nana Sir was not just a colleague; he was a dear friend and an elder brother who always treated me like his younger brother.'
He further reflected on the depth of their professional bond: 'I had a very, very long association with him throughout my career. In fact, my career began with him. He was supposed to play my elder brother in Raja, and I had the privilege of shooting 7–8 days with him.'
A Career-Long Association
Beyond 'Raja', the two actors shared the screen in 'Shakti: The Power', co-written and directed by Krishna Vamsi, in which they portrayed a father and son. The film also starred Karisma Kapoor in a central role. Most recently, Kapoor noted, the two had collaborated again on 'Sankalp', which had released just before Patekar's passing.
Circumstances of Nana Patekar's Passing
Nana Patekar passed away on 8 October at the age of 75. According to reports, the veteran actor was found unconscious at his Goa residence after experiencing intense chest discomfort. Tributes have continued to pour in from across the film industry, reflecting the scale of his impact on Hindi and Marathi cinema over several decades.
Legacy and Final Words
Kapoor concluded his tribute with a note of enduring affection: 'I will always remember him with the highest regard and deepest affection. I will look back on all the wonderful memories we shared, smile, and cherish them forever. Rest in peace, Nana Sir. You will always remain very special to me.'
Patekar's death marks the loss of one of India's most celebrated character actors, known for roles that ranged from brooding antagonists to deeply humane portrayals across a career spanning four decades. The full extent of tributes from the film fraternity is still unfolding.
Point of View
Choosing characters over commerce across Hindi and Marathi cinema. The flood of personal tributes, rather than institutional ones, says something about the kind of figure he was: someone colleagues mourned as a friend first. What mainstream obituaries may underplay is just how recent his creative energy was — his collaboration on 'Sankalp' suggests he remained engaged until the very end.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sanjay Kapoor reveal about Nana Patekar and the film 'Raja'?
Sanjay Kapoor revealed that Nana Patekar was originally cast to play his elder brother in the 1995 film 'Raja', directed by Indra Kumar, and had already completed 7–8 days of shooting before being compelled to withdraw. Kapoor shared this in an Instagram tribute following Patekar's death on 8 October.
How did Nana Patekar die?
Nana Patekar passed away on 8 October at the age of 75. According to reports, he was found unconscious at his Goa residence after experiencing intense chest discomfort. The full details of his passing are still being reported.
Which films did Sanjay Kapoor and Nana Patekar work on together?
The two actors collaborated on at least three projects: 'Raja' (1995), in which Patekar was cast before withdrawing; 'Shakti: The Power', directed by Krishna Vamsi, where they played father and son; and 'Sankalp', their most recent collaboration, which had released shortly before Patekar's death.
Who directed 'Raja' (1995) and 'Shakti: The Power'?
'Raja' (1995) was directed by Indra Kumar. 'Shakti: The Power' was co-written and directed by Krishna Vamsi and also starred Karisma Kapoor in the core cast.
Why is Nana Patekar's death significant for Indian cinema?
Nana Patekar was one of India's most acclaimed character actors, with a career spanning over four decades in Hindi and Marathi cinema. His passing at 75 has drawn tributes from across the film fraternity, reflecting his lasting impact as a performer who consistently prioritised craft over commercial typecasting.
