Nana Patekar was widely known for his work in Hindi and Marathi cinema, but he also maintained a longstanding association with the Indian Armed Forces.
Military Training
While preparing for the 1991 film Prahaar: The Final Attack, Patekar underwent rigorous military training with the Maratha Light Infantry. The training lasted around three years and gave him extensive exposure to military discipline and field preparation. Current accounts of his life continue to highlight this period as the foundation of his later association with the Army.
Territorial Army
Patekar's connection with the armed forces continued after his work on Prahaar. He was associated with the Territorial Army and was eventually conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Kargil, 1999
During the Kargil conflict in 1999, Patekar sought permission to travel to the conflict zone and serve alongside Army personnel. He approached then Defence Minister George Fernandes and subsequently travelled to the Kargil area in August 1999.
Patekar later recalled spending around 60 days with troops and travelling through areas including Dras, Leh, Kupwara, Baramulla and Sopore. He also said that he eventually became associated with a Quick Reaction Team.
His own recollections describe a physically demanding period. He recalled that he weighed around 76 kilograms when he reached Srinagar and around 56 kilograms when he returned.
Service in Srinagar
During his time connected with the Kargil conflict, Patekar also spent six days at a military hospital in Srinagar. He recalled helping prepare the mortal remains of soldiers before they were sent to their respective homes.
The experience exposed him to the human cost of the conflict away from the battlefield and remained one of the most significant memories of his time with the troops.
Competitive Shooting
Patekar also developed a serious interest in competitive rifle shooting. He competed at the national level and won a silver medal in the 300-metre Big Bore event at the 2004 National Shooting Championship.
In 2007, he was part of Maharashtra's team that won a bronze medal at the National Shooting Championship. He was also recognised as a “Renowned Shot”.
Supporting Young Shooters
His involvement with shooting extended beyond his own competitions. Patekar supported young shooters with equipment and ammunition and was remembered by Olympian Anjali Bhagwat for helping her early in her career.
His contribution to shooting therefore continued beyond the firing range, particularly through his support for emerging athletes.
8 October 2026
Nana Patekar passed away in Goa on 8 October 2026 at the age of 75. His death brought renewed attention to a lesser-known chapter of his life, including his military training, Territorial Army association and his time alongside Indian soldiers during the Kargil conflict.
The Honour Post remembers Nana Patekar's association with the armed forces and his service alongside India's soldiers.
