Nana Patekar dies at 75; Salman Khan postpones Mumbai event

Salman Khan has cancelled a high-profile Mumbai press conference after the death of veteran actor Nana Patekar. The Thursday evening event was meant to unveil Salman’s first branded residences, but the organisers withdrew it as a mark of respect and made it clear that the star’s place was with the bereaved family.

A launch paused out of respect

The function was hosted by GB Realty and its Chairman and Managing Director, Gurinder Bhatti. It was set for 6 pm at Taj Lands End in Bandra, one of the city’s most visible launch venues. In a joint statement, GB Realty and Salman Khan’s team said the press conference was postponed “due to the sudden demise of veteran actor Mr. Nana Patekar.” The statement added that Salman had “chosen to be with them” — a direct reference to Nana Patekar’s family — during a difficult time.

Salman Khan’s tribute

Salman Khan also remembered the actor on Instagram Stories. He shared a photograph of Nana Patekar and wrote, “Rest in peace Bhau.” For a star known for his reticence on social media, the tribute was brief and personal; bhau is a Marathi term for elder brother, and it spoke to the older actor’s standing among his peers.

What we know so far

• Nana Patekar died on October 8 after a cardiac arrest at his home in Goa.
• He complained of severe chest pain; a medical team found him unconscious, and he was declared dead at 5:20 AM at a private hospital in Dona Paula.
• His funeral is scheduled for Thursday evening between 9 PM and 10 PM at his farmhouse in Donje, near Khadakwasla in Pune district.
• The Maharashtra government has accorded him a state-honours funeral for his contribution to Marathi theatre, Indian cinema and social welfare.

An industry in mourning

Shah Rukh Khan, Kangana Ranaut, Ajay Devgn, Sunny Deol, Raveena Tandon, Rajinikanth, Karan Johar, Jr NTR, Hrithik Roshan and Hema Malini were among the names who posted tributes on social media. That cross-section — from Mumbai’s biggest stars to veteran performers and South Indian cinema icons — shows how widely Nana Patekar’s work had travelled across film industries.

Why a cancelled event matters

Nana Patekar was not a conventional Bollywood leading man. He built his reputation in Marathi theatre and brought that rough-edged, magnetic intensity to Hindi cinema. A state-honours funeral is a striking public acknowledgment of a career that helped shape Indian screen culture. For Salman Khan and GB Realty, stepping back from a first-ever branded-residence announcement may not repair the loss, but it keeps the evening from becoming a celebration while the industry grieves.

The postponement was announced on the same day as the actor’s death, leaving guests and the media little time. That the statement named the reason openly — “out of respect and in solidarity with the family” — is a small lesson in how to handle a brand moment when a bigger human story overtakes it. The launch can be rescheduled; a proper salute cannot.

Source: The Times of India