Sham Kaushal, a veteran action director who received his first break from Nana Patekar, has expressed deep grief over the veteran actor’s passing. Patekar, who died at 75 from cardiac arrest, was cremated with full state honors at his Pune farmhouse. Kaushal shared that Patekar was not just a mentor but a family figure to him and his sons, Vicky and Sunny Kaushal. He recalled how Patekar supported him through medical crises, including rushing him to Nanavati Hospital in 1998 when his appendix ruptured and staying with him in the operating room during his 2003 cancer surgery. Kaushal described Patekar as a father-figure to his sons, noting that Patekar had been a constant presence in their lives since they were infants. The actor also shared that he was deeply affected by seeing Patekar’s mortal remains, stating he ‘kept crying’ and has struggled to accept his passing. Kaushal mentioned their last meeting on September 21, when they had lunch together and celebrated Ganpati at Patekar’s Mumbai home, a tradition Patekar maintained for 27-28 years. Despite Patekar’s disciplined lifestyle, including maintaining a home gym, Kaushal expressed shock at his sudden death, emphasizing that Patekar’s passing has left a significant void in his life. He plans to visit Patekar’s family in Pune to discuss his loss and honor his memory. Kaushal praised Patekar’s character, stating he ‘truly deserved the state honor’ and that the world needs more people like him. The veteran action director’s emotional tribute highlights the profound personal connection between the two, transcending professional boundaries.