Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Nana Patekar Remembered for Iconic Roles and Controversial Legacy
Nana Patekar was an Indian actor known for playing many kinds of characters.
He began acting in the 1970s and became widely recognized for films such as Parinda.
He also acted in and directed a film called Prahaar: The Final Attack.
Outside movies, he helped people affected by drought in Maharashtra and started the Naam Foundation.
In 2018, Tanushree Dutta accused him of harassing her while they were making a film in 2008.
Patekar denied the accusation.
The article says a Mumbai court later cleared him, noting that the complaint came after the legal time limit and that the delay was not adequately justified.
His acting achievements and the controversy both remain part of the story of his public life.
Nana Patekar made his film debut in Gaman in 1978 after early work that included small roles in Marathi cinema.
His performance in Parinda won him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Filmfare Award.
He starred in and directed Prahaar: The Final Attack, and the article says he trained with the Indian Army for the role.
Patekar supported drought-hit communities in Maharashtra and established the Naam Foundation in 2015 to help farmers.
Tanushree Dutta accused him of sexual harassment on the set of Horn 'Ok Pleassss; Patekar denied the allegations, and a Mumbai court later cleared him, citing the complaint's delay and lack of adequate justification.
- Who
- Actor Nana Patekar; actress Tanushree Dutta is also central to the controversy described.
- What
- The article looks back at Patekar's acting career and social work, as well as the sexual-harassment allegation he denied.
- When
- Patekar's film career began in 1978; the alleged incident was in 2008, and Dutta spoke publicly about it in 2018.
- Where
- The alleged incident took place on the set of Horn 'Ok Pleassss; Patekar's drought-relief work focused on Maharashtra.
- Why
- The article recounts Patekar's artistic legacy and public service while addressing the controversy that complicated his public standing.
Dutta's allegation
Patekar's denial and court outcome
Alleged conduct on the film set
Dutta's allegation
Tanushree Dutta accused Patekar of sexual harassment during the 2008 filming of Horn 'Ok Pleassss and alleged that political goons were brought to intimidate her.
Patekar's denial and court outcome
Patekar vehemently denied the allegations. The article says a Mumbai court later cleared him, citing the complaint's lateness and insufficient justification for the delay.
Public debate
Dutta's allegation
The allegations prompted renewed discussion about accountability and power dynamics in the film industry.
Patekar's denial and court outcome
The article also notes the court outcome, while stating that the allegations continued to affect Patekar's public standing.
- Film debut
- Gaman (1978)
- Breakthrough recognition
- His performance in Parinda received widespread acclaim and earned him a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
- Prahaar
- Patekar starred in and directed Prahaar: The Final Attack; the article says he trained with the Indian Army for the film.
- Social work
- He donated the ₹1,000,000 Raj Kapoor award cash prize to drought relief and aided families of farmers affected by drought-related indebtedness.
- Naam Foundation
- Established by Patekar in 2015 to aid farmers facing drought conditions in Maharashtra.
- Allegation
- Tanushree Dutta accused Patekar of sexual harassment on the set of Horn 'Ok Pleassss in 2008; he denied the accusation.
- Court outcome
- The article says a Mumbai court cleared Patekar, citing that the complaint was filed beyond the legal limitation period and that the delay lacked adequate justification.