Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Mumbai Cops Remember Nana Patekar’s Friendship and Honest Performances
Nana Patekar was an actor who often played police officers in films.
He became friends with real Mumbai police officers Rakesh Maria and Daya Nayak.
Maria remembered meeting him in 1987 and said they stayed in touch.
They spoke shortly before Maria left for the United States.
Patekar played Maria in a film and asked him about how to act in one scene.
Nayak said Patekar gave him support during hard times.
Patekar also played a character inspired by Nayak in Ab Tak Chhappan.
Both officers remembered him warmly and praised his acting.
Retired Mumbai police officer Rakesh Maria recalled a friendship with Nana Patekar that began after they met in 1987.
Maria said he spoke with Patekar shortly before leaving for the United States and had promised to visit his Pune farmhouse.
Patekar played Maria in a film and consulted him about a scene involving the questioning of Ajmal Kasab.
Daya Nayak said Patekar offered moral support during difficult times and praised his portrayal of a character inspired by Nayak in Ab Tak Chhappan.
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma shared a scene featuring Patekar as Maria, while Nayak praised the actor’s versatility and humanity.
- Who
- Actor Nana Patekar, retired Mumbai police officer Rakesh Maria, and police officer Daya Nayak.
- What
- Maria and Nayak recalled their friendship with Patekar and praised his portrayals of police officers.
- When
- Maria said he last spoke to Patekar on September 23; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- Mumbai and Pune, India; Maria was in the United States when speaking to The Indian Express.
- Why
- The officers were remembering Patekar’s personal support and his acting in roles based on or inspired by them.
- Actor
- Nana Patekar
- Maria's first meeting
- Maria said he met Patekar in 1987, when he was a deputy commissioner of police.
- Last conversation recalled
- Maria said he spoke with Patekar on September 23, before leaving for the United States.
- Patekar's role
- He portrayed Rakesh Maria in a film.
- Nayak-inspired role
- Patekar portrayed Inspector Sadhu Agashe, a character inspired by Daya Nayak, in Ab Tak Chhappan.
- Filmmaker's post
- Ram Gopal Varma shared a scene of Patekar playing Maria and called it the actor's best scene.