Nana Patekar is not just an actor; he is a force of nature. With a career spanning over four decades, he has carved a unique niche for himself in Indian cinema, defined by raw intensity, unmatched dialogue delivery, and an incredible ability to shift effortlessly from terrifying villainy to brilliant comedy. For Movie Fly readers, we take a look back at five of his greatest, most definitive cinematic roles and characters that showcase the sheer range and depth of his talent.
1. Parinda (1989) — Anna Seth
In Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s iconic crime drama, Nana Patekar played Anna Seth, a psychotic, ruthless, and deeply paranoid underworld don with an extreme, phobic terror of fire. This performance redefined the “Bollywood gangster” archetype. Patekar brought an unpredictable, terrifying manic energy to the role, outshining a stellar ensemble cast that included Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor. His portrayal earned him his first National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and cemented his place as a top-tier performer in Indian cinema. Anna Seth remains one of the most chilling villains ever portrayed on screen.
2. Krantiveer (1994) — Pratap Narayan Tilak
Widely considered the peak of Nana Patekar’s career, Krantiveer saw him play Pratap Narayan Tilak, an aimless, cynical, and heavy-drinking man living in a Mumbai slum who undergoes a powerful transformation to become a fiery revolutionary voice against systemic corruption and communal division. His blistering, fast-paced monologues, especially the iconic “Yeh Musalman ka khoon, yeh Hindu ka khoon…” scene, are legendary in Indian pop culture. The performance won him the National Film Award for Best Actor and remains a benchmark for powerful, socially relevant cinema.
3. Ab Tak Chhappan (2004) — Sadhu Agashe
Moving away from his famously explosive, loud delivery, Patekar delivered a masterclass in quiet, restrained intensity in Ab Tak Chhappan. He played Sadhu Agashe, a cold, hyper-calm, and calculating “encounter specialist” with the Mumbai Police, loosely inspired by real-life cop Daya Nayak. He treated tracking and eliminating gangsters purely as a clinical day-to-day job. Patekar brilliantly balanced the cold-blooded pragmatism of a street cop with the vulnerability of a quiet family man, proving his versatility as an actor.
4. Welcome (2007) — Uday Shetty
In Welcome, Nana Patekar proved his incredible flair for comedy. He played Uday Shetty, a hilariously short-tempered and soft-hearted underworld don who desperately wants to leave crime behind, pursue his terrible passion for painting, and get his sister married into a decent family. His brilliant comedic timing and legendary banter alongside Anil Kapoor’s Majnu Bhai turned the character into a massive pop-culture phenomenon. Catchphrases like “Aloo lelo, kanda lelo” remain heavy fixtures in internet meme lore to this day, showcasing his ability to dominate any genre.
5. Natsamrat (2016) — Ganpatrao Belwalkar
In this Marathi masterpiece, Nana Patekar delivered what is widely regarded as one of the finest acting performances in modern Indian cinema. He played Ganpatrao Belwalkar, a tragic, ageing theatre legend who retires from the stage at the peak of his fame, only to face emotional abandonment, betrayal, and a devastating loss of his own identity at the hands of his family. Patekar channeled decades of theatrical background into an emotionally draining, powerhouse performance that leaves audiences in tears, capturing the absolute essence of a broken artist.
These five films represent the extraordinary range of Nana Patekar, from terrifying gangsters to lovable comic dons and tragic theatrical legends. For Movie Fly readers, these performances are essential viewing, a masterclass in the art of acting from one of India’s greatest living talents.
