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Nana Patekar leaves behind a remarkable legacy in Indian cinema. Across Hindi and Marathi films, the veteran actor created characters that audiences still remember for their intensity, emotional depth, powerful dialogue delivery and unmistakable screen presence.
From the ruthless gangster in Parinda to the unforgettable Uday Shetty in Welcome, Nana Patekar showed an extraordinary range throughout his career.
Here are 10 of Nana Patekar’s most iconic characters and performances, along with some of the memorable dialogue moments associated with them.
1. Pratap Narayan Tilak – Krantiveer
Pratap Narayan Tilak remains one of Nana Patekar’s most powerful characters.
In Krantiveer, he played a rebellious man who fights against injustice and corruption. Nana brought anger, vulnerability and conviction to the character, turning several scenes into memorable moments of Hindi cinema.
The performance also earned him major recognition and remains one of the strongest examples of his intense acting style.
Famous Dialogue:
“Aa gaye meri maut ka tamasha dekhne?”
The dialogue perfectly captures the fearless and confrontational personality of Pratap Narayan Tilak.
2. Anna Seth – Parinda
Nana Patekar’s portrayal of Anna Seth in Parinda established him as one of Bollywood’s most memorable villains.
His controlled body language, intimidating voice and unpredictable nature made Anna a terrifying presence on screen. Nana did not need exaggerated action to create fear. His expressions and dialogue delivery did most of the work.
The role became one of the defining performances of his early career.
Famous Dialogue:
“Ek machhar aadmi ko hijda bana deta hai.”
The line became one of the most remembered dialogue moments associated with Nana’s intense screen persona.
3. Uday Shetty – Welcome
For a completely different side of Nana Patekar, look no further than Uday Shetty from Welcome.
Uday Shetty transformed Nana from an intense dramatic performer into one of Bollywood’s most beloved comedy characters.
His chemistry with Majnu Bhai, his explosive reactions and his perfectly timed dialogue delivery turned Uday Shetty into a pop-culture favourite.
Famous Dialogue:
“Control, Uday, control!”
The simple line became one of the most recognisable comedy moments connected with the character.
4. Ganpatrao “Appa” Belwalkar – Natsamrat
Ganpatrao “Appa” Belwalkar gave Nana Patekar another landmark performance.
In the Marathi film Natsamrat, Nana played a legendary theatre actor facing the emotional struggles of old age, family relationships and a changing life.
The role demanded vulnerability rather than aggression, and Nana delivered an emotionally intense performance.
Natsamrat also showed why his acting career extended far beyond conventional Bollywood roles.
Famous Dialogue:
“To be or not to be…”
The character’s theatre background makes Shakespearean dialogue an important part of Appa’s identity and the film’s emotional world.
5. Sadhu Agashe – Ab Tak Chhappan
In Ab Tak Chhappan, Nana played Sadhu Agashe, a police officer known for his ruthless approach to criminals.
Unlike many conventional cop characters, Sadhu Agashe carried a quiet intensity. Nana kept the performance restrained while allowing the character’s moral conflicts to emerge naturally.
The role became another example of his ability to make complicated characters feel believable.
Famous Dialogue:
“Police mein rehkar police wala kaam nahi karunga.”
The dialogue reflects Sadhu Agashe’s unconventional approach to policing and justice.
6. Tabrez Alam – Apaharan
Nana Patekar played Tabrez Alam in Apaharan, bringing another memorable layer of menace and authority to the screen.
The character’s political influence and criminal power allowed Nana to combine intelligence with intimidation.
His performance added considerable weight to the film and once again demonstrated why filmmakers repeatedly trusted him with complex characters.
Famous Dialogue:
“Rajneeti mein koi kisi ka saga nahi hota.”
The line captures the cynical political world surrounding Tabrez Alam.
7. Brij Gopal – Raajneeti
In Raajneeti, Nana Patekar played Brij Gopal, a politically influential and strategically minded character.
The performance relied less on loud confrontation and more on controlled expressions, calculated dialogue and presence.
Nana’s ability to dominate scenes without excessive theatrics made Brij Gopal one of the memorable characters in the political drama.
Famous Dialogue:
“Rajneeti mein dosti nahi hoti.”
The dialogue reflects the character’s calculating view of power and political relationships.
8. Narasimha – Shakti: The Power
Nana Patekar played Narasimha, a powerful and intimidating patriarch in Shakti: The Power.
The character demanded authority, aggression and emotional control, all qualities that suited Nana’s acting style.
His presence gave the film a darker and more intense atmosphere.
Famous Dialogue:
“Mardangi ka matlab sirf taqat nahi hota.”
The line reflects the film’s themes of power, family and authority.
9. DCP Rakesh Maria – The Attacks of 26/11
Nana Patekar took on a serious real-life-inspired role in The Attacks of 26/11.
His performance reflected the gravity of the events portrayed in the film. Instead of relying on conventional heroic moments, Nana used restraint and emotional intensity to portray the police response to the attacks.
The role highlighted his ability to approach sensitive subjects with seriousness.
Famous Dialogue:
“Yeh sirf ek attack nahi tha.”
The dialogue captures the gravity and emotional weight of the film’s subject.
10. Vishwanath – Prahaar: The Final Attack
Prahaar: The Final Attack holds a special place in Nana Patekar’s career because he also directed the film.
His military character reflected discipline, toughness and a strong sense of duty.
The film allowed Nana to combine his acting with his filmmaking vision and remains an important part of his career.
Famous Dialogue:
“Army mein sirf ek hi religion hota hai — duty.”
The line reflects the disciplined worldview of the character and the film’s military setting.
Nana Patekar’s Acting Legacy
Nana Patekar built his reputation by choosing characters that often stood apart from conventional Bollywood heroes.
He could play a terrifying villain, a troubled police officer, a political strategist, a tragic theatre artist and, later, a hugely popular comic character.
His career also earned major recognition. Nana Patekar received three National Film Awards and the Padma Shri for his contribution to cinema and the arts.
His performances in films such as Parinda, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Ab Tak Chhappan, Natsamrat and Welcome represent different phases of an extraordinary acting career.
Which Is Nana Patekar’s Best Character?
There is no single answer.
For intense acting, Pratap Narayan Tilak in Krantiveer and Anna Seth in Parinda remain among his strongest performances.
For emotional depth, Ganpatrao “Appa” Belwalkar in Natsamrat stands out.
And for pop-culture popularity, Uday Shetty from Welcome remains arguably his most recognisable character.
That range defines Nana Patekar’s legacy. He did not create just one type of character. He made audiences fear him, respect him, laugh with him and, at times, feel deeply for him.
His characters will continue to remain an important part of Indian cinema.
