New Delhi: Bollywood is an industry abundant with awards and accolades, yet certain moments of recognition resonate more profoundly than any trophy. For veteran actor Nana Patekar, one such moment came from a compliment by the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, which he regards as his most significant honor.
Nana Patekar is set to celebrate his 75th birthday on January 1, 2026. In a conversation with Lehren, he shared insights on his admiration for Satyajit Ray, revealing that he had always aspired to collaborate with the illustrious director but never had the opportunity. However, he later learned that Ray himself had expressed a desire to work with him, a discovery that Patekar considered his biggest accolade.
During the discussion, Patekar stated, “I never had a favorite director. Once, I wanted to work with Satyajit Ray, but unfortunately, I couldn’t. When I came to know that in his personal diary he had written that he wanted to work with Nana Patekar, I felt that it was the biggest award I got.”
In terms of his film career, Nana Patekar has been recognized for his versatile acting in several critically acclaimed films, including Krantiveer, Welcome, and Prahaar: The Final Attack. His most recent appearance was in the mystery thriller Housefull 5, starring alongside Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, and others.
Looking ahead, the 75-year-old actor is expected to star in Vishal Bhardwaj’s upcoming film O Romeo, scheduled for release on Valentine’s Day 2026. This film features Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri in the lead roles.
