Shah Rukh Khan and Nana Patekar in the frame. (Photo by arrangement)

A day after he passed away, Shah Rukh Khan paid a heartfelt tribute to veteran actor Nana Patekar. Remembering his "Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman" co-star as a "masterful actor and an unbeatable carrom champion", who gave him an invaluable advice very early on in his career.

He penned an emotional note for him on social media, talking about their conversations, the unique bond that they both shared, and the kind of person Patekar was.

The note read as follows: 

"I first met him, out of awe and awkwardness I fiddled with my hair. He slapped my hand away and said 'hero ki tarah Baal mat bana...tu actor hai'!

He didn't flatter you. He didn't tell you what you wanted to hear. He told you what you needed to hear. That was Nana. Straightforward. Rough, honest and had the most beautiful smile.
He always had a strange way of showing affection. He would shout at you first, and then somewhere between the third or fourth insult, you realised you were being hugged. He loved me and I loved him back.
He was a mentor, a teacher, a critic and a friend who beat me and everyone else around him in carrom game after game and relished his victories.
Nana your intensity, laughter , madness and love will always stay with us. I just wish we had time to have more conversations, another argument, another cup of tea and a game of carrom.
You have left a void not only in the world of cinema but in the hearts of all Indians and the world. All I can say is, I will miss you dearly and carry your words in my heart till the end of time....'hero banne ke chakar mein actor mat khona'
May your soul rest in peace Nana and Allah bless you. The Heavens will be blessed to have you... a masterful actor and an unbeatable carrom champion. Love you and miss you dearly!! Too soon my Hero Actor! RIP
Shah Rukh Khan"


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