Bollywood is mourning the loss of one of its most distinctive and powerhouse performers, Nana Patekar, who passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the age of 75 in Dona Paula, Goa, following a severe cardiac arrest. As the industry reflects on his remarkable career spanning over four decades, recent revelations by his long-time friend and co-star Paresh Rawal offer a poignant look into the fearless and unique persona of the late actor, further cementing his legend.
When Nana Patekar Demanded INR 1 Crore Salary
In a candid interview with The Lallantop in 2025, Paresh Rawal reminisced about Nana Patekar’s unmatched confidence and no-nonsense attitude, revealing an astonishing demand for remuneration that sent ripples through the industry. According to Rawal, Nana Patekar was the first character actor in Hindi cinema to boldly ask for a staggering INR 1 crore fee for a role.
“He was very straightforward in demanding that amount at a time when even mainstream heroes hesitated to do so,” Rawal stated, highlighting the unprecedented nature of Patekar’s demand in the 1980s. Despite the initial ‘ruckus’ such a figure caused, Patekar’s immense screen presence and undeniable credibility meant that producers ultimately met his demands. This incident underscored his self-belief and refusal to conform to conventional industry norms, long before he became a household name with films like Krantiveer.
A ‘Baap Hai Voh’ Attitude
Beyond his groundbreaking salary demands, Paresh Rawal also shared another humorous yet telling anecdote that perfectly captured Nana Patekar’s unfiltered and unconventional nature. Rawal recounted a story involving an unnamed producer who was invited to Nana Patekar’s home for a meal.
“There is a producer. I will not take his name. Nana told him to come home one day. He asked, ‘Do you eat mutton?’ He ate. Nana said, ‘You ate, right? Now go and clean the dishes,'” Rawal shared, quoting Patekar directly. Rawal then emphatically added, “That is Nana Patekar. Baap hai voh. He’s completely different, man. That soil is different.” This incident, much like his remuneration stance, illustrated Patekar’s grounded personality and his readiness to challenge traditional power dynamics within the industry.
Paresh Rawal Talks About Nana Patekar in Old Interview
Nana Patekar, who debuted in 1978 with Gaman, carved a niche for himself with his intense performances in films such as Parinda (which earned him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor), Krantiveer (National Film Award for Best Actor), Agni Sakshi, Ab Tak Chhappan, and the blockbuster comedies Welcome and Welcome Back. His collaborations with Paresh Rawal include critically acclaimed and commercially successful ventures like Krantiveer (1994), Ghulam-e-Mustafa (1997), Aanch (2003), Welcome (2007), and Welcome Back (2015).
As the film fraternity and fans mourn the passing of this cinematic titan, these anecdotes serve as a powerful reminder of Nana Patekar’s enduring legacy – not just as an actor of unparalleled talent, but as an individual who lived and worked entirely on his own terms, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema.