‘Bollywood is not bigger than Nana’: Pravin Tarde slams Bollywood’s absence at Nana Patekar’s funeral, says, 'A few thousand farmers attended Nana’s funeral procession'

Marathi filmmaker Pravin Tarde criticised Bollywood celebrities for their absence from veteran actor Nana Patekar’s funeral. Speaking on ABP Majha’s programme 'Coffee with Kaushik', Tarde said that people who considered Nana Patekar their friend should have attended his final rites. He also stressed that the absence of film industry personalities did not diminish the actor’s stature. Nana Patekar died in Goa on October 8 following a severe heart attack. His mortal remains were taken to his native village of Donje, near Pune, where his last rites were performed on his own farm. Several political figures and prominent personalities attended the funeral, but the limited presence of Bollywood celebrities became a subject of discussion. Pravin Tarde expressed disappointment over the absence of others who had shared a personal or professional association with Patekar. Pravin Tarde says Bollywood is not bigger than Nana Patekar During his conversation with ABP Majha, Pravin Tarde made it clear that Nana Patekar’s importance could not be measured by the number of Bollywood celebrities attending his funeral. He said the actor had earned respect through his work and his connection with ordinary people. Pravin Tarde said, "The fact that Bollywood people did not attend the funeral does not diminish Nana’s greatness. Bollywood is not bigger than Nana. Nana was a very great man. A few thousand farmers attended Nana’s funeral procession. They smelled of sweat and soil. That farmer is more important than anyone in Bollywood wearing perfume." ‘A farmer from Dhule is greater than Bollywood heroes’ Pravin Tarde also spoke about Nana Patekar’s identity and his connection with farming communities. According to the filmmaker, Patekar never defined himself solely through his Bollywood career. Pravin Tarde said, "In my opinion, a farmer who came from Dhule is much greater than Bollywood heroes. It makes no difference to us. When did Nana ever say that he belonged to Bollywood? Nana always used to say that he was a farmer." Pravin Tarde says Nana Patekar’s friends should have attended Despite emphasising that Bollywood’s absence did not affect Patekar’s stature, Pravin Tarde admitted that he was disappointed. He said that people whom the late actor considered friends should have attended the funeral. Pravin Tarde said, "If you ask whether I have a complaint, then yes, I do. Bollywood people should have attended the funeral. At the very least, those whom Nana called his friends should have been there. Jackie Shroff and Suresh Wadkar attended." ‘When a small-time actor dies in Mumbai, people line up’ Pravin Tarde further compared the attendance at Nana Patekar’s funeral with the response to the deaths of lesser-known actors in Mumbai. He questioned why more members of Bollywood had not turned up to honour an actor of Patekar’s standing. Tarde added, "When a small-time actor dies in Mumbai, people line up wearing white clothes. But when it came to Nana... Anyway, the farmers were there, and we were there too." Nana Patekar’s connection with farmers Beyond his acting career, Nana Patekar was known for his association with rural communities and farmers in Maharashtra. His work outside cinema helped establish a connection with people whose lives extended far beyond the film industry. Meanwhile, Jackie Shroff, filmmaker Anees Bazmee, Makarand Anaspure, Prasad Oak, singer Rahul Deshpande, and Singer Suresh Wadkar were among the celebs who attended Nana Patekar's funeral.