Mumbai, October 8: Veteran actor Nana Patekar had once put his successful acting career on hold to join Indian Army personnel during the Kargil War in 1999, recalling the experience years later during an appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati.
Patekar, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 76 after suffering a cardiac arrest in Goa, had undergone extensive military training for his 1991 film ‘Prahaar: The Final Attack’, in which he played the role of Major V.S. Chavan. He had trained with the Maratha Light Infantry for nearly three years for the film, which he also wrote and directed.
When the Kargil conflict broke out, Patekar approached senior Army officers seeking permission to join troops at the war front. He was initially told that such permission could only be granted by the Defence Minister.
Patekar recalled that he contacted then Defence Minister George Fernandes, whom he knew personally. During his 2024 appearance on KBC, he told Amitabh Bachchan that Fernandes initially said it would not be possible.
Patekar then explained his extensive training and association with the Maratha Light Infantry. According to his recollection, Fernandes asked him when he wanted to go, and the actor replied, “Today.”
He eventually received permission and travelled to the Kargil conflict zone in August 1999, where he spent around two months with Army personnel near the Line of Control.
During his stay, Patekar travelled to several locations, including Dras, Leh, Kupwara, Baramulla and Sopore. He recalled that his weight dropped significantly during the deployment, from around 76 kg when he reached Srinagar to about 56 kg when he returned.
Patekar said he was also associated with a Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and later worked at a military hospital in Srinagar, where he witnessed the difficult aftermath of the conflict.
He recalled seeing the mortal remains of soldiers who had lost their lives in the war and described the experience as deeply distressing. He also recounted an emotional encounter with an injured soldier who had lost both his legs but still wanted to return to the battlefield.
For Patekar, his experience during the Kargil conflict was not about seeking recognition but about serving the country.
He also used the experience to reflect on life, saying that people should broaden their understanding of happiness and sorrow by looking beyond their own circumstances and recognising the struggles faced by others.
