- Shah Rukh Khan paid tribute to veteran actor Nana Patekar after his death on Thursday
- He recalled their first meeting and Nana's straightforward, honest nature and unique affection
- Nana was a mentor, critic, friend, and unbeatable carrom player to Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan paid an emotional tribute to veteran actor Nana Patekar following his death on Thursday. The actor recalled their first meeting, Nana's straightforward nature and the affection he showed in his own unique way.
Shah Rukh Khan took to X and remembered how he was initially awkward when he met Nana.
Recalling the moment, he wrote, "When I first met him, out of awe and awkwardness I fiddled with my hair. He slapped my hand away and said 'hero ki tarah Baal mat bana...tu actor hai'!"
He added, "He didn't flatter you. He didn't tell you what you wanted to hear. He told you what you needed to hear. That was Nana. Straightforward. Rough, honest and had the most beautiful smile. He always had a strange way of showing affection. He would shout at you first, and then somewhere between the third or fourth insult, you realised you were being hugged. He loved me and I loved him back."
Shah Rukh Khan also remembered Nana as a mentor, teacher, critic and friend, while recalling their games of carrom.
"He was a mentor, a teacher, a critic and a friend who beat me and everyone else around him in carrom game after game and relished his victories."
The actor said Nana's presence, laughter and affection would stay with everyone who knew him.
"Nana your intensity, laughter , madness and love will always stay with us. I just wish we had time to have more conversations, another argument, another cup of tea and a game of carrom. You have left a void not only in the world of cinema but in the hearts of all Indians and the world. All I can say is, I will miss you dearly and carry your words in my heart till the end of time....'hero banne ke chakar mein actor mat khona' May your soul rest in peace Nana and Allah bless you."
Shah Rukh Khan ended his tribute by remembering Nana as both a masterful actor and a formidable carrom player.
"The Heavens will be blessed to have you... a masterful actor and an unbeatable carrom champion. Love you and miss you dearly!! Too soon my Hero Actor! RIP."
Shah Rukh Khan and Nana Patekar worked together in the 1992 romantic comedy Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, directed by Aziz Mirza. They also featured in the 2002 film, Shakti: The Power.
Nana Patekar died after suffering a severe cardiac arrest at his home in Goa. He was 75.
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