Read how a poignant encounter between Baba Amte and a grieving mother during the 1984 riots inspired Nana Patekar’s acting as Anna Seth in Parinda.
The film world woke up to heartbreaking news today as veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away at the age of 75. Known for his raw intensity and unmatched ability to bring realism to the screen, Patekar carved a niche in Indian cinema with performances that were both powerful and deeply human.
Among his most memorable roles was Anna in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Parinda (1989), a film that redefined the gangster genre in Bollywood. The is a gripping crime thriller about two brothers caught in Mumbai’s underworld, starring Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Madhuri Dixit, Anupam Kher, and Suresh Oberoi.
In this film, Nana’s portrayal of Anna Seth, a ruthless yet layered underworld don with a pathological fear of fire, remains etched in the collective memory of cinephiles.
In a throwback interview with journalist Kavita Chhibber for her blog, the actor once shared a deeply moving story about where he found inspiration for his famous eyelid-pulling gesture in Parinda.
During the tragic 1984 riots, social worker Baba Amte visited affected families in Punjab. In one home, a mother had lost her husband and all four of her adult sons to violence. Only the elderly matriarch, her daughters-in-law, and little children were left behind.
When Baba Amte arrived to offer his condolences, the old woman was sitting outside, quietly sifting wheat. Someone told her that a guest had come all the way from Mumbai to share her sorrow.
Nana recalled, “She looked at him (Amte) and said, “He is here to offer condolences, and yet not a tear in his eye?She lowered her lid and asked him, “Is there anything in your eyes? Kuch hai kya? Not even a tear. So, where are you here.” It was such a weird gesture, this pulling of the lower lid and asking that question, and yet such poignancy and pain too, that it deeply affected me and I incorporated that in my movie Parinda.”
The actor explained that while he always remained true to the script, his performances became unique when he infused them with touches from real life. That authenticity is what gave his roles their lasting impact.
In Parinda, the subtle gestures, the piercing eyes, and the emotional weight behind his menace were reflections of lived experiences and observed truths. It is this ability to merge reality with fiction that made him one of the most respected actors of his generation.
As fans mourn his passing, stories like these remind us why Nana Patekar’s work will continue to resonate. He was a storyteller who carried the pain, resilience, and complexities of real people into his characters. His legacy lies in performances that were deeply felt portrayals, leaving audiences with moments that linger long after the credits rolled. Today, as the industry bids farewell to a legend, his words and his art stand as a testament to the power of cinema rooted in truth.
