Nana Patekar’s Midnight Funeral: Son Malhar Explains Why The Last Rites Were Held Late
Pune: Veteran actor Nana Patekar was cremated with full state honours at around 11:30 pm on Thursday at his farmhouse in Donje village, on the outskirts of Pune. His son, Malhar Patekar, performed the last rites and later explained why the family decided to hold the funeral late at night rather than postpone it until the following day.
Addressing reporters after the ceremony, Malhar said the family had been in Goa following the actor’s death and had expected his mortal remains to reach the farmhouse earlier. However, the transfer took longer than anticipated. Since the tragedy had occurred early that morning and considerable time had already passed, the family decided to complete the last rites on the same day, he explained. The decision was not attributed to any unusual circumstance or undisclosed reason.
Malhar Patekar Speaks About His Father’s Legacy
Beyond the circumstances surrounding the funeral, Malhar’s remarks offered a glimpse into the responsibilities his father had left behind. He said Nana Patekar’s work and outlook would continue to guide those associated with him, stressing that a person’s contribution can keep their memory alive long after their death.
Malhar also highlighted the importance of continuing the social initiatives associated with his father. The actor was closely involved with the Naam Foundation, which works on water conservation and rural development. According to Malhar, the organisation’s work in the water sector was already underway, while initiatives in education and healthcare had also begun in Kashmir.
He indicated that Nana Patekar had assigned responsibilities to people around him before his death, making the continuation of these projects an important priority for the family and the organisation.
A Final Farewell With State Honours
Nana Patekar died at the age of 75 on Thursday, October 8, at his residence in Goa. He reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest and was declared dead at a hospital after doctors attempted to revive him. Police subsequently registered an unnatural death case, while further details surrounding the death remained subject to investigation.
His mortal remains were brought to Pune, where thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and several personalities from the film industry attended or paid tribute.
Known for powerful performances across Hindi and Marathi cinema, Nana Patekar leaves behind a career spanning decades. For Malhar, however, the farewell was not only the end of a personal chapter but also a commitment to preserving his father’s work and carrying forward the causes he believed in.
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