Shah Rukh Khan pens emotional tribute to Nana Patekar after actor's death

Shah Rukh Khan has penned an emotional note following the death of legendary Bollywood actor Nana Patekar, reflecting on their decade-long bond and his immense contribution to the film industry.

Nana Patekar's death 

On Thursday, October 8, Nana passed away at the age of 75 at his residence in Goa after suffering a cardiac arrest.

According to Dr Shehar Salkar, the veteran actor was brought to the hospital when it was too late and he was declared dead by 5:30 a.m.

What did Shah Rukh Khan say about Nana Patekar?

Sharing a black-and-white snap of himself with Nana, Shah Rukh Khan 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’!"

Shah Rukh described the late actor as "Straighforward, rough and honest" with 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."

The superstar added, "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."

"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."

Shah Rukh Khan shares Nana Patekar's advice

While highlighting how Nana's death will affect the cinema, Shah Rukh recalled an advice he received which he will never forget: "hero banne ke chakar mein actor mat khona."

"May your soul rest in peace Nana and Allah bless you. 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 concluded.

Nana Patekar's career

Nana Patekar was a household name with over four decades of experience under his belt. He made his Bollywood debut in 1978 with Gaman and became a beloved actor for his comedic gangster role of Uday Shetty in Welcome (2007).

Shah Rukh Khan and Nana Patekar's films

With Shah Rukh Khan, Nana worked in the 1992 rom-com titled Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, where the DDLJ star plays a young civil engineer aspiring to make it big in Mumbai and Nana portrays a supporting role named Jai.

The pair teamed up in Shakti: The Power (2002), an action drama starring Karisma Kapoor and Nana (as Narsimha), featuring Shah Rukh Khan in a special guest/extended cameo appearance as Jai Singh.