Mumbai: Following the sudden passing of veteran Bollywood actor Nana Patekar due to a cardiac arrest in Goa, fans and colleagues are remembering the cinematic icon not just for his stellar performances, but for his extraordinary simplicity. Despite his massive success in the Hindi and Marathi film industries, Patekar consciously chose a life away from the blinding lights of Mumbai, preferring the quietude of rural Maharashtra.
While the 75-year-old actor owned a modest apartment in Mumbai’s Lokhandwala, a sprawling 27-acre farmhouse in Khadakwasla near Pune, and the residence in Dona Paula, Goa where he breathed his last, his heart always remained rooted in his ancestral village in Ratnagiri. At his Pune estate, he actively engaged in farming, finding solace in agriculture rather than showbiz parties.
During a guest appearance on the reality quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati 17 in June 2025, host Amitabh Bachchan asked him why he chose to return to the village after achieving such monumental success in cinema. Patekar’s response perfectly encapsulated his grounded philosophy.
“I am not from the film industry. I just come here to work and then go back,” Patekar had explained with his trademark candour. “I never went to any party, nor did I stay in the city much. I belong to the village and I like living there. I love the life there.”
He further detailed his minimalistic approach to life, noting that limiting one’s needs brings genuine peace. “I have received much more than I ever wanted from my mother. It is very easy to keep your needs limited. I don’t have an AC because I don’t feel the need for it,” he stated. Comparing the concrete jungle to his rural haven, he added, “Just like there are walls all around in a city, my house is surrounded by mountains. I live comfortably there, and I love it very much.”
Before entering full-time acting, Patekar had humble beginnings, holding a diploma in commercial art and making a living by painting film posters and zebra crossings in Mumbai. Survived by his estranged wife Neelkanti and his filmmaker son Malhar, the actor leaves behind a legacy of sheer brilliance on screen and an inspiring life of humility off it. His passing marks the end of an era, but his grounded ideals continue to resonate deeply with millions.