Some actors entertain you. Some actors stay with you.
Nana Patekar was definitely the second kind.
The seasoned actor left the world at 75, having gifted us with a remarkable legacy that is difficult to forget. It was his voice, his eyes, that distinct passion that made even brief scenes resonate with a life worth living.
To know more about why Nana Patekar was an unforgettable talent, one must revisit the works of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, especially the movie Khamoshi: The Musical.
This is one of the movies which has to be re-discovered by the current generation.
Khamoshi is a 1996 film which is known not only for its music but also because of the unique and emotional direction of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. However, most importantly, this movie gave the audience the opportunity to enjoy the incredible performances of Manisha Koirala, Salman Khan and Nana Patekar.
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The story revolves around the relationship between a deaf and mute man named Joseph played by Nana Patekar and his daughter. There is no need in shouting dialogue here. All the emotions are conveyed through his expressions and body language.
That was Nana Patekar’s gift.
He never seemed to be simply “acting” in a scene. He made you believe that the person on screen had lived a life before the camera arrived.
And yes, Patekar is at his usual best here.
There is an honesty to his performance that doesn’t feel dated. In fact, watching Khamoshi now, knowing that Nana is no longer with us, makes some of those scenes unexpectedly difficult to watch.
That’s perhaps the strange thing about cinema. The person may leave, but the performance doesn’t.
Years later, you can still press play and see the actor come alive again.
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Nana Patekar had a career that moved comfortably between intense dramas, socially driven films, Marathi cinema and mainstream Bollywood. From Parinda and Krantiveer to Natsamrat and Welcome, he could be terrifying, funny, vulnerable or completely heartbreaking.
But sometimes, remembering an actor doesn’t have to mean making a list of awards and achievements.
Sometimes it can simply mean watching one of their films again.
So, if you’re looking for a Nana Patekar performance, put on #KhamoshiTheMusical on JioHotstar.
Watch Joseph.
Watch those expressions.
Listen to that voice.
And for a couple of hours, let one of India’s most unforgettable actors be alive on your screen once again.
Nana Patekar may have left us, but performances like this are not going anywhere.
