Kolhapur fan who followed Nana’s Ganapati for 3 decades joins sea of mourners in Pune to bid adieu to his ‘mentor, guide & friend’

Kolhapur: For nearly three decades, Gangavesh resident Amar Jadhav carried a friendship that most fans can only dream of. What began as a chance meeting with actor Nana Patekar at Kolhapur’s Rankala lake during the shooting of ‘Yugpurush’ in 1997 blossomed into a bond that transcended celebrity and fandom.Now 60, Jadhav remembers not the cinematic genius, but the mentor, guide and friend who opened his doors and heart to him. “When I told Nana sir how big a fan I was, he invited me to his Mumbai home for the Ganesh festival. That visit turned into a tradition that continued since then,” Jadhav recalled, fighting back emotions before rushing to Donje for the actor’s last rites.Their relationship evolved into social work. Through Nana Patekar Vichar Manch, they championed girls’ education and launched an initiative to create a Rs 5,000 fixed deposit for every girl child born on Jan 1, Patekar’s birthday.The actor’s generosity often arrived without fanfare. When Patekar learnt that the ambulance operated by Jadhav’s organisation had fallen into disrepair, he immediately stepped in. “Within no time, he arranged a brand-new ambulance for us,” Jadhav said.The bond extended deep into family life. During the Covid-19 pandemic, when travel restrictions prevented him from attending Jadhav’s daughter’s wedding, Patekar joined through a video call to personally bless the bride. “He knew every member of my family. Sometimes he would call and ask for Kolhapuri jaggery. I would personally take it to Mumbai, because it gave me another chance to meet my hero,” Jadhav said.Kolhapur, too, held a special place in Patekar’s heart. Some of his early films, including ‘Bhalu’, were shot at the now-defunct Jayprabha Studio. Despite achieving national fame, he never forgot the city that shaped part of his artistic journey.His support for Kolhapur’s cultural institutions was unwavering too. He donated Rs 5 lakh to Gayan Samaj Deval Club during its 125th foundation anniversary celebrations and remained closely connected with the city’s artistic fraternity. But perhaps the moment that best captured the man behind the actor came after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. While in Kolhapur, Patekar was invited to speak at a public event. He declined the microphone. Instead, he asked the gathering to stand in silence and pay tribute to the fallen heroes.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolhapur | Silver Rate in Kolhapur | Bank Holidays in Kolhapur | Public Holidays in KolhapurStay updated with the latest Kolhapur news. Download the TOI App.