Actor Nana Patekar: The Member of the 'QRT' Team During the Kargil War

Nana Patekar, known for his powerful performances in films, has won the hearts of audiences with his acting. However, his life is not limited to just the film industry. He has played several important roles in his life, one of which is his service in the Indian Army.

The popular actor himself revealed this aspect of his life on the show Kaun Banega Crorepati 16, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. During the show, he shared an experience from his military service. He talked about how he went to Kashmir to join the Indian Army during the Kargil War. Initially, he was denied permission to enter the military area, as civilians were not allowed. However, Nana didn't give up and contacted India’s then Defence Minister, George Fernandes. Though Fernandes initially denied him, Nana convinced him by sharing some important details, which led to him being granted special permission.

Nana Patekar’s Revelations on Kaun Banega Crorepati 16

On the show, Nana Patekar said, “While making the film ‘Prahar’, I had trained with the Maratha Light Infantry for three years. At that time, I was also writing. It was after this that I made Prahar. During the Kargil War, I tried to go to the war zone, but I was told that civilians were not allowed there. I asked who could give me permission. I was advised to speak to Defence Minister George Fernandes. When I called him, he too told me that I couldn’t go. I then told him that while training is usually for six months, I had undergone three years of training with the Maratha Light Infantry. He asked me when I was planning to go, and I said, ‘today’. That very evening, I was flown to Kashmir and landed in Srinagar."

The Kargil Experience: Weight Loss, Military Training, and Quick Reaction Team Nana further shared, “When I went there, my weight was 76 kilograms, but after 60 days, when I returned, I weighed only 56 kilograms.” He went on to explain how he became part of the QRT (Quick Reaction Team) during his time in Kargil. “We were handed AK-47 rifles. We were told to look in different directions, and we would focus only in our respective directions.”

Nana Patekar's Film Journey

As for Nana's cinematic journey, he made his debut in the film industry with Gaman. Since then, he has starred in several iconic films, including Parinda, Tiranga, Krantiveer, Khamoshi, Yashwant, Prahar, Ab Tak Chhappan, Apharan, Welcome, Raajneeti, Angaar, Agnisakshi, Khamoshi: The Musical, Shakti: The Power, Natsamrat (Marathi), Welcome Back, Shagird, Pathshala, Taxi No. 9211, Bluffmaster, Bhoot, Aanch, Darna Mana Hai, Ghulam-E-Mustafa, Hum Dono, Salaam Bombay, Awaaz, Pratigaat, Mohre, Sutradhar, Gidh, Wedding Anniversary, The Vaccine War, and Vanvaas.