Nana Patekar, the Hindi film actor with decades of screen work behind him, died on 8 October from a cardiac arrest at his Goa residence, aged 75. Recordings of his past interviews and exchanges with colleagues have been circulating widely across online platforms in the period since his death.

Footage from one such clip captures Nana Patekar and director Vishal Bhardwaj engaged in conversation. Irrfan Khan, whose life ended on 29 April 2020 following a period of illness, came up in their exchange.

Nana Patekar noted that Sutapa, Irrfan Khan's wife, had held a script assistant position on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's production Khamoshi. He recalled that she used to urge him to put Irrfan's name forward for opportunities, and his answer had always been the same — that Irrfan's name would itself become the one that opened doors for others — a trajectory his death at an unexpectedly early age brought to an end.

Bhardwaj noted that fame sat lightly on Irrfan Khan, leaving his manner unchanged. Nana Patekar spoke of travelling to Irrfan's Madh home during the period of his illness, at which point a health condition had left the actor in a weakened state.

During that visit, Nana Patekar recounted, Irrfan Khan told him that night-blooming jasmine held a particular place in his affections, saying "Bas ye yaad rakhna" — just hold onto this. In a recorded statement, Nana Patekar mentioned a passing thought about planting a raatrani tree at his own Madh residence.

Sutapa Sikdar marked Nana Patekar's passing with a tribute posted alongside a still image from the film Khamoshi. In her written post, she described Khamoshi: The Musical as her first film, one she made alongside Nana Patekar.

Those who spent time around Nana Patekar noted a disposition marked by warmth and generosity, while colleagues and observers also noted that a volatile temper defined much of how he carried himself. He had long held an internal sense of personal virtue, and those who knew him noted that he and Irrfan Khan shared an equal aversion to urban life, with Irrfan having relocated to a village.

Nana Patekar was cremated at his Donje farmhouse property outside Pune on Thursday, a ceremony accorded full state honours. People close to Nana Patekar noted that he had expressed a wish to have his last rites performed at his farmhouse. His son Malhar performed the ritual of igniting the funeral pyre.

Among those who gathered to pay their respects were figures from the film industry — Jackie Shroff, Sajid Nadiadwala, and Anil Sharma among them — alongside a number of dignitaries from political circles. Eknath Shinde, who holds the position of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, travelled to the actor's home village to offer condolences in person. At Pune airport, ahead of his departure to Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stopped to pay tribute to the actor.

Filming on Aneet Padda's production Shakti Shalini had wrapped for Nana Patekar prior to his passing. Four films — The Confession Of Mary, Vedanta, Eetha, and Kuku Ki Kundali — are among the productions in which his appearances are scheduled to reach audiences in the coming period.