The sudden demise of veteran Indian cinema actor Nana Patekar has left the entire nation and the film fraternity in deep grief. Film personalities and fans alike are remembering him with heavy hearts. Amidst this, Bollywood's 'King' Shah Rukh Khan has shared an extremely emotional and touching post dedicated to Nana Patekar, which has quickly gone viral on social media.
Deeply shattered by Nana's passing, Shah Rukh recalled the famous incident from their very first meeting that changed his perspective on life and acting forever. The superstar described how the straightforward and honest actor taught him the true value of being an actor rather than just a star.
Shah Rukh Khan's Emotional Note: 'Don't Lose the Actor in Pursuit of Becoming a Hero'
Shah Rukh wrote in his post, '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 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.'
The actor further wrote, '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. 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. I just wish we had time to have more conversations, another argument, another cup of tea and a game of carrom.'
A Special Bond Shared On and Off Screen
Nana Patekar and Shah Rukh Khan shared screen space in notable films like 'Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman' (1992) and 'Shakti: The Power' (2002), winning audiences over with their stellar chemistry. In a 2024 interview, Nana had lovingly referred to Shah Rukh as his child, praising his grounded nature and enduring affection.
'The Freelance' does not independently verify the authenticity of the claims made in the viral social media videos. This video is a subject of widespread discussion online. Video Courtesy: Respective Social Media Handle / Creator.
Entertainment & Culture Desk, The Freelance
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