Nana Patekar‘s connection with the Indian Army went well beyond the screen. For Prahaar, which he directed in 1991, he went through three years of demanding military training with the Maratha Light Infantry. Then, in 1999, as the Kargil War broke out, he volunteered for service and spent roughly three months with the Quick Reaction Team (QRT) in the Kargil sector.
Nana Patekar’s viral dialogue on internal enemies
Following Nana’s demise, a dialogue from ‘Prahaar’ about internal enemies has gone viral. In the clip, he says, “In the army, we are taught to defend the border against the enemy and to lay down our lives for the country. At the border, we know exactly whom to fire at; here, however, enemies are everywhere you look. And an enemy is an enemy, after all. The only difference is whether they are on the other side of the border or this side. Yet, the enemy on this side is far more dangerous. Isn’t it our duty, then, to fight this enemy? Isn’t it our right? And fighting for one’s rights is never wrong. I believe army training should be mandatory for everyone; at the very least, one should—and must—dedicate a year of their life to the country. People today take the freedom we received for granted, treating it as something cheap.”
Nana Patekar’s time on the Line of Control
While serving with the Army, Patekar spent several weeks in highly sensitive areas such as Dras, Kupwara, Baramulla and Sopore, and also patrolled the Line of Control (LoC). His presence lifted the spirits of soldiers posted at various outposts, and he pitched in to help medical staff at a military base hospital. The tough duties and harsh high-altitude conditions took a toll on his health, and he is said to have lost about 20 kg during his deployment.
Nana Patekar declared dead after cardiac massage failed
On October 8, Nana was brought to the hospital at around 4.30 am and was declared dead by 5.20 am. The Manipal Hospital doctor said that cardiac massage lasting 45 minutes to an hour could not bring him back.