By Jagmohan Singh Barhok

On His Birth Anniversary

There is no denying the fact that Nana Patekar, the ordinary looking guy, carved a nice niche in the Hindi Cinema. Widely recognized as a Marathi actor of substance, Nana’s one of earlier films was “Mohre” starring Madhri Dixit, Anupam Kher & Sadashiv Amrapukar. Kher & Sadashiv enacted negative roles of escaped convicts. The actor who made his debut with National Award Winning film “Gaman”(1978) also starring Smita Patil & Farooq Shaikh, later featured in few Marathi films before switching over to mainstream Hindi films.

In 1992, I was invited on the sets of film “Angaar” at Lokhandwala Complex to cover the shooting of the film also starring Jackie Shroff & Dimple Kapadia.There were two persons on the sets of whom I knew Om Puri.The other I knew nothing about.He was somewhat unsophisticated looking in his demeanor. We had lunch together. I interviewed Om Puri at length and came back. I later met him on the sets of “Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman”.

The person whom I unknowingly ignored was Nana Patekar, an actor in his own right who had earlier won National as well as Filmfare Award in the Best Supporting Actor Category in 1990 for his role in “Parinda” playing a gansgster. His “Agnisakshi”, directed by Partho Ghosh speaks volumes of his histrionics. He played a husband who was unreasonably cruel and threatening to his wife Manisha Koirala. Rightly, therefore, he was bestowed upon the National Award For Best Supporting Actor in 1997 and Filmfare Award For Best Villain. He was also the recipient of the National Award For Best Actor and Filmfare Best Actor Award for his role in “Krantiveer” (1995). Interestingly, Nana is the only actor who has won Filmfare Award in three categories- for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Villain.

His other notable contributions include- “Aaj Ki Awaz” (1984) “Ankush” (1986), “Pratighaat” (1987), “Trishagini” (1988) “Raajneeti” (2010) & “Welcome Back” (2015). Played Nathuram Godse in the British teleserial ” Lord Mountbatten: The Last Viceroy. A multitalented personality & recipient of three National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards and two Filmfare Awards Marathi for his acting performances including Padma Shri in 2013 for his contribution in cinema and arts, the actor was also part of Mira Nair’s “Salaam Bombay” (1988). Nana Patekar was born on 1st January in 1951.