I have worked on three projects with Nana sir — Taxi No 9211 [2006], the Marathi films Deool [2011], and Dr Prakash Baba Amte [2014]. I went from being scared of someone called ‘The Nana Patekar’ to becoming someone so close to him that I started calling him Nana sir. My relationship with him had a beautiful arc — of friendship and admiration, to the extent of making fun of him. He was a dear friend, and had complete authority to call me anytime.

His acting always felt unscripted. I remember a scene from Taxi No 9211 where my character was leaving [him for good]. By the time his character rushed to see me, the train had left. The longing, pathos, and feeling of loss on his face said a lot about him as an actor. He was funny in films like Welcome [2007]. I always complimented him, saying, ‘Sir, I really like your comedy’, and he enjoyed [hearing that]. He loved, splurged money [on others], and complimented them abundantly. Nana sir lived his life on his own terms.