Following the demise of renowned actor Nana Patekar, his final rites were carried out with state honours at his ancestral village Donje near Pune. The veteran artist breathed his last on October 8 in Goa after suffering a cardiac arrest. While hundreds gathered to pay their respects, the conspicuous absence of prominent film industry personalities drew sharp criticism from actor and director Pravin Tarde, best known for Deool Band 2.
Sharp Criticism Over the Absence of Industry Figures
Pravin Tarde spoke out strongly against the silence and absence of major figures from the film world during the funeral proceedings. He questioned the whereabouts of people who routinely presented themselves as friends yet chose to skip the final send-off. When addressing whether the collective absence bothered him, Tarde remarked that it certainly did, noting that individuals who constantly professed closeness were nowhere to be seen when it mattered most.
Farmers Gather in Solidarity
Despite the lack of industry attendance, Pravin Tarde stressed that Nana Patekar's towering legacy and respect remain completely unblemished. He pointed out that Patekar had earned deep admiration through his artistic work and lifelong contributions. Thousands of farmers turned up to offer their final tributes. Tarde observed that the gathering carried the fragrance of honest sweat and soil, describing that grassroots respect as vastly more meaningful than any attendance by perfumed celebrities.
Official Dignitaries and Attendees
The final rites were conducted under state honours, with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde arriving in Donje to pay homage. Among the few prominent names from the creative sphere who made the journey were actor Jackie Shroff and singer Suresh Wadkar. Reflecting on trends in Mumbai, Tarde pointed out that even minor tragedies in the city draw lines of people dressed in white, making the stark absence at Patekar's farewell all the more glaring.
