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With the death of veteran Marathi actor Nilu Phule, Nana Patekar has lost a father figure.
Emotional as ever, Nana speaks after two days of silence. "When he passed, I just withdrew from all human interaction. Everything seemed so futile, so made-up and unreal. I've lost more than just a mentor. It's like losing my own father all over again."
Babu ka haath
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Nana Patekar |
Rest in peace: Nilu Phule |
Nana emotionally recalls how big a hand Nilu Phule played in getting the younger actor into films. "Nilu Babu recommended me to any one and everyone that mattered. That's how I got into films. Without his support, I'd have never been in films. I think I've inherited a lot of his dedication to acting.
Also, like Nilu Babu I've remained cut off from the Mumbai film industry," says the actor who lives in Pune, for the most part. The departed actor treated Nana like a family member. "Whenever he and his wife would have a difference of opinion, she would call me to intervene. Their daughter Gargi is like my own child."
A gardener at heart
Elaborating on the deceased actor's politics he continues, " He was heavily influenced by the teachings of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia. He'd joke that there are two Marwaris in front of whom his head was bowed. One was his wife and the other was Dr Lohia."
Nana adds, "Do you know, Nilu Babu was a gardener by profession? That's right! He used to be a baghbaan in the medical college where Dr Sreeram Lagoo was a doctor." Nana was heavily influenced by his culture of agri- culture, "He was a gardener and farmer at heart. I imbibed his love for growing things from the soil. If today, I can spend days and weeks on my farm just enjoying cultivating and growing fruits, vegetables and crops, it's because I saw my mentor and my father figure doing the same."
Sighs Nana, "Aise log ab kahan? In his death, I feel such a grave loss. He lived just ten minutes away from me in Pune. But in his last days, he forbade me and all the people who loved him from visiting him. When a man has lived a life as full and fulfilling as Nilu Babu, he doesn't want to be seen languishing away."
Mastering existence
Phule remained attached to charitable work until his dying day, "He gave away a part of his earnings to the Sewa Dal. I think those who live not just for themselves but for others have mastered the mystery of existence. Nilu Babu was one such person I knew. I was very fortunate to have been associated with him." | 
