Nana Kept Wood Ready for His Final Rites
His last journey ended at his Pune farmhouse close to midnight
Veteran actor Nana Patekar was reportedly cremated late Thursday night, October 8, at his farmhouse in Donje, near Pune, following his death earlier that day. The 75-year-old actor was said to have suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in Goa.
The delay in performing the last rites was attributed to the logistical challenges of transporting his mortal remains from Goa to Pune, along with medico-legal formalities.
According to the account attributed to his son, Malhar Patekar, the funeral was initially scheduled for 4 pm. However, procedural requirements and travel constraints pushed the ceremony late into the night.
Malhar reportedly lit the funeral pyre at around 11.30 pm. The draft states that doctors at Manipal Hospital in Goa attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for 45 minutes before declaring him dead. An autopsy and other formalities were subsequently completed before his remains were flown to Pune.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other officials reportedly paid their respects at Pune airport before the remains were taken by road to the farmhouse.
The Maharashtra government is also said to have accorded Patekar a state funeral in recognition of his contributions to Hindi and Marathi cinema and Marathi theatre. Police personnel reportedly gave a ceremonial salute during the last rites.
In a poignant detail, Patekar had allegedly stored dry wood at his farmhouse for his own cremation, reflecting his previously expressed wishes.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, and several state ministers were among those said to have paid their respects.
Highlight: The delay in last rites was due to logistical challenges in moving his mortal remains from Goa to Pune.
