Amitabh Bachchan Honours Nana Patekar With A Moving Tribute On KBC 18

Veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away in Goa on Thursday (October 8) at age 75. His industry colleagues, political leaders, sportspersons and fans paid tributes to the Tirangaa actor. On Thursday night, Amitabh Bachchan paid a moving tribute to the legendary actor. Deeply moved by his sudden demise, Mr Bachchan honoured his dear friend and reflected on his unmatched screen presence, uncompromising honesty, and lifelong dedication to humanitarian causes.

Amitabh Bachchan's tribute to Nana Patekar

Nana's passing is an immense loss to Indian cinema and society. Reflecting on that, Big B offered his respects on Kaun Banega Crorepati 18.

In a video, he said in Hindi, "Deviyo aur sajjano, Nana Patekar ji ka achanak aaj subah swargwas ho gaya. Ek adwitiya kalakar, mitra, shubhchintak, aur ek utkrisht samaj sevak aaj hamare beech nahi rahe. Ye na keval Bharatiya film udyog ke liye, balki ek vyaktigat taur par, jinka bhi unke saath sampark hua, usne hum sabko stabdh kar diya hai. Unki bebaki, unki sadgi, aur sach ko sach kehne ka unka saahas, ye sari baatein unko sabse alag banati thi. Kuch log hamare jeevan se chale jaate hain, lekin unki aawaz, unke paropkar, unki sikhai hui seekh hamare bhitar reh jaati hai. Nana unhi logon mein se ek the. Aapko, Nana, vyaktigat roop se mera naman. Aur aapki us kala ko pranam, jise aapne puri imandari se jeeya aur hum sabko samarpit kiya." (Ladies and gentlemen, Nana Patekar ji passed away suddenly this morning. An unparalleled artist, a friend, a well-wisher, and an exceptional social worker is no longer among us. This is not only a monumental loss for the Indian film industry, but also a deeply personal loss for everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His sudden departure has left us all stunned. His fearlessness, his simplicity, and his courage to call the truth exactly as it was, these qualities made him truly different from everyone else. Some people leave our lives, but their voice, their acts of compassion, and the lessons they have taught us remain within us. Nana was one of those rare people. Nana, I offer you my deepest personal respects. And I salute the art that you lived with complete honesty and devoted wholeheartedly to all of us).

Remembers their shared moments over the years

Mr Bachchan also shared the National Award-winning actor's extraordinary social work, which he spoke about during his memorable appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati season 16, where he highlighted his selfless support for drought-affected farming communities across rural Maharashtra by saying,

"Iss manch par hamare vishesh karyakram mein ek atithi ke roop mein unka aagman hua tha. Wo yaadgar shaam sada hamare saath rahegi. Unki baaton ne na keval hume prabhavit kiya, balki jis nek kaaj ke liye unhone jeeti hui dhanrashi ko samarpit kiya, wo unki samaj seva ka udaharan tha. Maharashtra ke un gaon mein jo varsha ke abhav se peedit the, unhone wahan ke kisanon ke saath sampark kiya aur vyakatigat roop se unki seva ki." (He had come to this stage as a guest for our special episode. That memorable evening will always remain with us. His words not only touched and inspired us, but the noble cause to which he dedicated the prize money he had won was a powerful example of his commitment to social service. In the villages of Maharashtra that were suffering because of a lack of rainfall, he reached out to the farmers and personally extended his support and service to them)

He concluded his speech by offering his deepest condolences to the grieving family. "KBC parivaar ki aur se hardik shradhanjali." (On behalf of the entire KBC family, our heartfelt tribute), he added.

Nana Patekar passed away at his Goa residence following a cardiac arrest. He was cremated with full state honours at his farmhouse in Pune.