Tukaram Mundhe, IAS officer and Maharashtra FDA Commissioner, became emotional as he paid tribute to Nana Patekar at a prayer meeting in Mumbai. He recalled their final phone call and remembered the actor's compassion and dedication to helping farmers and those in need.
The memorial gathering, titled Aathavanitale Nana, took place on October 14 at the P. L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy complex in Mumbai's Prabhadevi area.
IAS Tukaram Munde spotted at Nana Patekar Ji's prayer meet. 🙏🏻🥺🕊️ A moment of respect and remembrance. ❤️🙏 #FilmyGalaxy #TukaramMunde #NanaPatekar #VYFG2026 https://t.co/A8VZEPle6f
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Tukaram Mundhe Remembers Nana Patekar
Mundhe remembered Patekar as a compassionate person who was deeply concerned about farmers and the poor, despite his strong public image. Describing him as a man of purpose, Mundhe said the actor believed in helping those in need.
“He was a truly wonderful person. He was a sensitive individual. His views on society were very straightforward. He was a man of great utility and purpose,” Mundhe said, according to ANI.
He added that Patekar always thought about ways to support the poor and improve their lives. Mundhe said he and others were trying to follow the same path.
Nana Patekar Ji Ki Prarthana Sabha 🙏🏻🥺🕊️ A moment of prayers and remembrance. ❤️🙏 #FilmyGalaxy #NanaPatekar #TukaramMundhe #VYFG2026 https://t.co/nwoeqQKfXa
— Filmy Galaxy (@Filmy_Galaxy) October 15, 2026
Recalling the actor's words, Mundhe said Patekar would often ask, “What kind of man are you if you can't help your people?” He said this reflected the actor's belief that everyone should help those around them.
Mundhe recalled his final phone conversation with Patekar, who rarely called him unexpectedly. Their chat ended with the actor saying, “Love you, Bala,” words that Mundhe said continue to weigh on him as he struggles to accept his friend's death.
Tukaram Mundhe | "ते वाक्य मनाला खूप लागलं" मुंढेंना नाना असं काय म्हणाले? Nana Patekar Prayer Meet| एफडीए आयुक्त तुकाराम मुंढे यांनी एका भावूक मुलाखतीमध्ये त्यांच्या आणि ‘नाना' यांच्यातील संवादाची आठवण सांगितली आहे. शेवटच्या फोनवरील "लव यू बाळा" हे वाक्य मनाला कसे घर करून राहिले आहे आणि आज त्यांना श्रद्धांजली वाहण्याची ताकद माझ्यात नाही, अशा शब्दांत तुकाराम मुंढे यांनी आपल्या भावना व्यक्त केल्या आहेत. Tukaram Mundhe, FDA commissioner, emotional tribute, Nana Patekar, last phone call, NDTV Marathi #TukaramMundhe #EmotionalTribute #MarathiNews #Maharashtra #HeartfeltTribute #ndtvmarathi
— NDTV Marathi (@NDTVMarathi) October 15, 2026
How They First Met?
Mundhe and Patekar first met in 2015, when Mundhe was serving as the District Collector of Solapur. Maharashtra was facing a drought at the time, and Patekar and actor Makarand Anaspure had visited the district through the NAAM Foundation to support farmers.
After learning about their visit, Mundhe requested a meeting with Patekar. The actor later visited his office and official residence, where they had lunch and spoke at length.
Mundhe remembered how Patekar's concern for farmers became clear during visits to drought-hit areas. He also said the actor's efforts had helped thousands of farmers and that such support was difficult to match even through government systems.
Film Industry Pays Tribute
Nana Patekar died on October 8, 2026, at the age of 75, after suffering a cardiac arrest in Goa. His last rites were held at his farmhouse in Pune.
The prayer meeting was organised by the Maharashtra government's Cultural Affairs Department and the Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation to remember his life, work and contribution to society.
Actors Shivaji Satam, Rohini Hattangadi and Varsha Usgaonkar attended the gathering, along with filmmaker Sanjay Jadhav and director Mehul Kumar. A rangoli featuring Patekar's character from the Marathi film Natsamrat was also created as a tribute.
Patekar was known for his powerful performances in Hindi and Marathi films, as well as his work in theatre. His efforts to support farmers and people in need remain an important part of his legacy.
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