Actor Pravin Tarde calls out Bollywood over absence from Nana Patekar's funeral

Pravin Tarde; Nana Patekar. Pics via X

Marathi filmmaker and actor Pravin Tarde, who was seen attending Nana Patekar's last rites in Pune last week, has expressed disappointment over the absence of most Bollywood celebrities at the veteran actor's funeral. Tarde says that at least those who considered him a friend should have attended his last rites. However, he highlighted that the presence of countless farmers showed the late actor's greatness.

Pravin Tarde on farmers attending Nana Patekar's funeral

During an interview with ABP Majha, Tarde spoke about the presence of farmers at Patekar's funeral. He noted that their presence reflected the actor's connection with people beyond the film industry.

For the unversed, Nana Patekar died in Goa on October 8 after suffering a severe heart attack. Following his death, his mortal remains were taken to his Donje farmhouse, near Pune, where his last rites were performed. While several political figures, celebrities and other prominent personalities were seen attending the funeral, the limited presesnce of Bollywood sparked discussion.

Speaking about the people who gathered to pay their last respects, Tarde revealed that the farmers' presence was more significant than the absence of film industry. He also highlighted how Patekar identified himself as a farmer rather than just an actor.

Pravin slams Bollywood's absence

Pravin Tarde shared, "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."

He further 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," Tarde said.

Tarde admitted that he was expecting to see more people from the industry at the funeral, especially those who shared a close bond with the actor. He 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 wearing white clothes. But when it came to Nana... Anyway, the farmers were there, and we were there too," Tarde reportedly added.