A reunion that was never meant to be.
Quick Summary: Director Anil Sharma revealed he was in talks with Nana Patekar for Gadar 3 before Patekar died on October 8, 2026, at 75, from cardiac arrest in Goa. Sharma called him the easiest actor to work with after Dharmendra.
Nana Patekar Funeral Date And Time: Pune Cremation With State Honours
Anil Sharma Nana Patekar Gadar 3 Reunion Will Now Never Happen
Nana Patekar passed away on October 8, 2026. He was 75 years old. Just one day later, director Anil Sharma shared some sad news of his own. He said he was talking with Patekar about working together again on Gadar 3. That plan is now gone forever.
Sharma spoke to Mid-Day about his bond with the actor. He did not hold back his feelings. He wanted people to know the truth about Patekar as a person and as a co-worker.
The talk: Sharma confirmed discussions were happening about Patekar joining Gadar 3. No formal deal: Reports do not show any signed contract or official casting announcement.
Last film together: Sharma and Patekar worked together on Vanvaas, released in 2024. Last conversation: Sharma said he last spoke to Patekar a few months before his death.
What Sharma Said About Working With Patekar
Sharma pushed back hard against a common rumor in the film industry. Many people thought Patekar was hard to handle on set. Sharma said that was simply not true.
On his reputation: "The talk about him being difficult to work with never had any truth in it." On his comparison: "I would say that after Dharamji [Dharmendra], Nana Patekarji was the easiest actor to work with." On the lost project: "There were talks happening about us collaborating on Gadar 3, but now [that will remain an unfulfilled wish]."
How Nana Patekar Died at Age 75
Patekar died early Thursday morning at his home in Dona Paula, Goa. His caretaker found him unconscious. He was rushed to Manipal Hospital nearby.
Cause of death: Cardiac arrest, confirmed by Dr. Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospitals. Time of death: Reports place it between 5:10 a.m. and 5:20 a.m. on October 8, 2026. Resuscitation attempt: Doctors tried CPR for about 45 minutes but could not save him.
Medical status during treatment: Doctors said he was in asystole, meaning his heart showed no electrical activity. Post-mortem: A medico-legal case and post-mortem procedure were started to confirm the exact cause.
His body was flown to Maharashtra. He was cremated at his farmhouse in Donje village near Pune. The state gave him full honours during the funeral on the night of October 8.
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Sharma's Regret and Final Goodbye
Sharma admitted he wished he had done more while Patekar was alive. He had thought about visiting him during Ganpati but never made the trip.
His regret: "Now I feel jo karna hai, turant karlena chahiye" — meaning things you want to do, you should do right away. At the funeral: "Nana is no longer with us. I have come all the way here from Mumbai because Nana was a great personality, a great artist and a great social worker."
Sharma traveled from Mumbai to attend the funeral. He spoke about Patekar's charity work too, noting his foundation had helped many people over the years.
Timeline of Events Around the Anil Sharma Nana Patekar Gadar 3 Story
Here is a simple breakdown of how events unfolded, based on confirmed reports.
2024: Sharma directs Patekar in Vanvaas, their final completed project together. Months before October 2026: Sharma speaks to Patekar for the last time. Ganpati period, 2026: Sharma considers visiting Patekar but does not go. October 8, 2026, early morning: Patekar is found unconscious at his Goa home.
October 8, around 5:10-5:20 a.m.: Doctors declare him dead after CPR efforts fail. October 8, night: Funeral held at Donje near Pune with full state honours. October 9, 2026: Sharma's interview about Gadar 3 talks and his tribute is published.
No studio has released an official statement about what happens to Gadar 3 now. It is unclear if the film will move forward without Patekar, get rewritten, or face delays. Fans and industry watchers are waiting for Sharma or the producers to share more details.
