Nana Patekar’s career spanned nearly five decades, during which he built a reputation as one of Indian cinema’s most powerful and versatile performers. From intense crime dramas and socially conscious films to comedy blockbusters, Patekar repeatedly demonstrated his ability to disappear into vastly different characters.
He earned his first National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Parinda and later won the National Film Award for Best Actor for Krantiveer. His performance in Agni Sakshi also earned him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.
As audiences remember Nana Patekar following his death at 75, these films remain an important part of his legacy across Hindi and Marathi cinema.
Natsamrat (2016)
Where to watch: Netflix
Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, Natsamrat is a Marathi drama centered on Ganpat Belwalkar, played by Nana Patekar. Ganpat is a celebrated Shakespearean stage actor who retires after years in the spotlight and divides his property between his two children.
His retirement, however, marks the beginning of a painful chapter in his life. As his relationship with his children deteriorates, Ganpat and his wife are eventually left without a home.
Patekar’s emotionally charged portrayal of an aging theater artist confronting loneliness, betrayal and the loss of dignity is widely regarded as one of his most memorable performances.
Parinda (1989)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Parinda remains one of the defining crime dramas of Hindi cinema. Patekar plays Anna, a ruthless Mumbai underworld boss whose presence dominates the film.
The story follows brothers Kishan and Karan, whose lives are pulled into the violent world controlled by Anna. Karan returns from the United States and hopes to marry his friend’s sister, Paro, played by Madhuri Dixit. But his plans collide with the criminal network surrounding his brother.
Patekar’s portrayal of Anna earned him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and established him as an actor capable of creating deeply intimidating screen villains.
Krantiveer (1994)
Where to watch: ZEE5 and Amazon Prime Video
In Krantiveer, Patekar delivered one of the most celebrated performances of his career. He plays Pratap, a troubled young man who becomes a gambler and is eventually rejected by his family.
After arriving in Mumbai, Pratap is taken in by Laxminath, played by Paresh Rawal. When Laxminath is murdered, Pratap decides to fight back against the people responsible.
The action-crime drama earned Patekar the National Film Award for Best Actor. His portrayal combined anger, vulnerability and explosive intensity, making Pratap one of the most recognizable characters of 1990s Hindi cinema.
Agni Sakshi (1996)
Where to watch: ZEE5
Directed by Partho Ghosh, Agni Sakshi featured Nana Patekar as Vishwanath, an obsessive and abusive husband who subjects his wife Madhu, played by Manisha Koirala, to a life of fear.
After escaping from Vishwanath, Madhu rebuilds her life and marries Suraj Kapoor, played by Jackie Shroff. But Vishwanath refuses to let go of her and eventually reappears in her life.
Patekar’s disturbing performance earned him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and remains one of his most psychologically intense roles.
Welcome (2007)
Where to watch: JioHotstar and Amazon Prime Video
Nana Patekar showed another side of his acting range with Welcome, the popular comedy directed by Anees Bazmee.
He plays Uday Shetty, a feared gangster who, alongside Majnu Bhai, played by Anil Kapoor, is determined to find a suitable husband for his sister. Their plans lead them to Rajiv, a seemingly respectable young man whose family does not approve of the match.
What follows is a series of increasingly chaotic situations involving Uday, Majnu and the prospective groom’s family.
Patekar’s deadpan delivery and exaggerated reactions turned Uday Shetty into one of the most memorable comic characters of his career.
Apaharan (2005)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Directed and written by Prakash Jha, Apaharan is a political crime drama set against the backdrop of Bihar’s kidnapping economy.
The film follows Ajay, played by Ajay Devgn, whose ambitions and troubled relationship with his principled father eventually draw him into the world of organized kidnapping. Nana Patekar plays Tabrez Alam, a powerful figure within the criminal network.
The film examines the intersection of politics, crime and law enforcement while also exploring the ideological and emotional conflict between Ajay and his father.
Patekar’s restrained yet commanding performance is one of the film’s key strengths.
Dr. Prakash Baba Amte – The Real Hero (2014)
Where to watch: Prime Video
In this Marathi-language biographical drama, Nana Patekar portrayed Dr. Prakash Baba Amte, the physician and social worker known for his work among the Madia Gond tribal community in Maharashtra.
Directed by Samruddhi Porey, the film also stars Sonali Kulkarni as Dr. Mandakini Amte and Mohan Agashe.
Unlike many of Patekar’s more confrontational roles, the performance relies heavily on restraint and empathy. He portrays Amte as a man driven by his commitment to underserved communities, bringing the real-life figure’s work to a wider cinematic audience.
Nana Patekar’s enduring film legacy
The diversity of Nana Patekar movies is perhaps the clearest reflection of his range as an actor. He could play a terrifying crime boss in Parinda, a morally driven fighter in Krantiveer, a deeply disturbing antagonist in Agni Sakshi, and a comic gangster in Welcome without losing the intensity that became his trademark.
His Marathi work, particularly Natsamrat and Dr. Prakash Baba Amte – The Real Hero, also highlighted his connection to regional cinema and theater.
For audiences revisiting his work, these films offer a snapshot of a career built not merely around stardom, but around performances that left a lasting impression.
Quick list: Nana Patekar movies to watch
- Natsamrat (2016) — Ganpat Belwalkar
- Parinda (1989) — Anna
- Krantiveer (1994) — Pratap
- Agni Sakshi (1996) — Vishwanath
- Welcome (2007) — Uday Shetty
- Apaharan (2005) — Tabrez Alam
- Dr. Prakash Baba Amte – The Real Hero (2014) — Dr. Prakash Baba Amte