Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Nana Patekar Nearly Turned Down His Iconic Welcome Comedy Role
Nana Patekar was known for playing serious characters.
When director Anees Bazmee asked him to act in Welcome, Patekar was unsure he could do comedy.
Bazmee told him he believed he was right for the part, and Patekar agreed.
In the 2007 film, Patekar played Uday Shetty, who wants to find a respectable husband for his sister.
Anil Kapoor played Uday’s friend, Majnu Bhai.
Many people came to know Patekar through the role, and some film scenes and lines became memes.
Patekar acted in other comedies as well as serious films.
He died at his home in Goa, aged 75, following a cardiac arrest.
Nana Patekar initially doubted he could play Uday Shetty in the comedy Welcome and almost rejected the role.
Director Anees Bazmee persuaded Patekar to take the part, while Patekar credited Bazmee and Rohan Sippy for believing in his comic ability.
Welcome, released in 2007, paired Patekar’s Uday Shetty with Anil Kapoor’s Majnu Bhai.
The role became one of Patekar’s best-known performances, and lines and scenes from the film later became popular memes.
Patekar continued performing in comedies and serious films; he died at his Goa home at 75 after a cardiac arrest.
- Who
- Actor Nana Patekar, director Anees Bazmee and actor Anil Kapoor.
- What
- Patekar nearly turned down the comedy role of Uday Shetty in Welcome, which became a signature performance.
- When
- Welcome was released in 2007; Patekar died on Thursday, aged 75. The article does not specify the date.
- Where
- Welcome is discussed in connection with Mumbai; Patekar died at his home in Goa.
- Why
- Patekar was unsure he could perform comedy, but Bazmee believed he could play the role and persuaded him to accept.
Patekar’s initial doubts
Bazmee’s confidence
Whether Patekar should take the comedy role
Patekar’s initial doubts
Patekar said he did not usually do those types of roles and did not know much about comedy.
Bazmee’s confidence
Bazmee believed Patekar could play the part and swore he genuinely thought he should accept it.
Patekar’s comic ability
Patekar’s initial doubts
Patekar was uncertain about his ability to perform comedy.
Bazmee’s confidence
Patekar later credited Bazmee and Rohan Sippy with seeing his potential and having confidence in him.
- Film
- Welcome
- Release year
- 2007
- Patekar’s character
- Uday Shetty
- Director
- Anees Bazmee
- Other featured character
- Majnu Bhai, played by Anil Kapoor
- Patekar’s age at death
- 75
- Cause of death
- Cardiac arrest
- Place of death
- His home in Goa