Nana Patekar, who died on October 8, 2026, at the age of 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa, was known not only for his powerful performances but also for speaking openly about society, religion and the values he grew up with.
In a throwback video that has resurfaced after his death, the veteran actor spoke about how his mother explained the difference between Hindus and Muslims to him when he was a child. Nana said that the lesson stayed with him throughout his life and shaped the way he looked at caste and religion.
'Hindu aur Musalman mein farak bas itna hai...'
Recalling a childhood conversation with his mother,
Nana said:
"I would ask my mother what the difference was between a Hindu and a Muslim. My mother told me there was no real difference. She said the only difference was that Muslims pray with their hands open, while Hindus pray with their hands folded."
He explained that this simple lesson became the foundation of how he looked at people while growing up.
"This is what we were taught since childhood, and that is why we never differentiated between people on the basis of caste or religion," Nana said.
Nana Patekar on caste divisions
The actor also acknowledged that caste divisions were deeply rooted in society and unlikely to disappear easily.
"I know caste will probably never completely disappear," he said, before explaining that he personally did not believe a person's caste should determine how they are judged.
According to Nana, people rarely asked him which caste he belonged to. What mattered more, he felt, was the kind of person someone was and what they did for others.
"People never asked me which caste I belonged to. What matters is what you do for other people," he said.
His remarks reflected a belief that a person's actions should carry more weight than their caste, religion or social identity.
'What you do for others is what matters'
Nana's comments were rooted in what he described as the values taught to him at home.
For him, the visible difference between religious practices was far less important than the humanity shared between people. By recalling how one community prayed with open hands and another with folded hands, Nana reduced what is often treated as a major divide to a simple difference in the way people express faith.
His larger point was that religion and caste should not become reasons to separate people.
Nana Patekar often spoke about society and responsibility
Away from films, Nana frequently spoke about social responsibility, farmers and the need to contribute beyond one's immediate family.
In another public appearance shortly before his death, he had spoken about the importance of giving something back to society and questioned the purpose of a life limited only to one's own home and family.
His throwback comments on caste and religion are now being revisited alongside several of his interviews and speeches as fans look back at the actor's life beyond cinema.
Nana Patekar died at 75
Nana Patekar died on October 8 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa.
He was reportedly found unconscious and taken to hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him for around 45 minutes.
His death brought an end to a career spanning nearly five decades, but his performances, interviews and outspoken views continue to be remembered.