Manisha Koirala paid tribute to Nana Patekar after the veteran actor died on Thursday, remembering him as ‘a great actor, a remarkable presence and a true stalwart of the craft.’
In her post, Koirala said Patekar’s contribution to cinema and his dedication to his craft would always be remembered, adding, ‘May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti.’
Her tribute also recalls the professional and personal bond the two actors shared in the 1990s.
Patekar and Koirala worked together in three films, beginning with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Khamoshi: The Musical in 1996.
They reunited the same year for ‘Agni Sakshi’ and later appeared together in ‘Yugpurush’ in 1998. During this period, reports of their closeness began circulating, and some media outlets later linked them romantically.
What was reported about Nana Patekar and Manisha Koirala?
The nature of Patekar and Koirala’s relationship has been speculated about for decades.
While media reports at the time linked the two romantically, there has never been enough public evidence to treat those reports as established fact.
A recent account from ‘Agni Sakshi’ writer Ranbir Pushp has added an important perspective to the long-running speculation.
Speaking to Siddharth Kannan in September 2026, Pushp acknowledged that Patekar and Koirala were close while working on the film and shared a strong understanding.
‘They discussed scenes before performing,’ Pushp said, describing how their understanding was visible in their performances.
However, when asked about the reports of a romance, he made it clear that he had never personally witnessed anything that led him to conclude that they were romantically involved.
In other words, Pushp’s recollection confirms the actors’ closeness but does not confirm the romance reported in the media.
What did Nana Patekar say about Manisha Koirala?
Patekar himself remained guarded when asked about Koirala in a 2015 interview with Rediff. When asked about their relationship, he said he didn’t want to talk about relationships and declined to revisit the past.
Asked about Koirala, he simply said, ‘She must be happy somewhere.’
That brief response remains one of Patekar’s few direct public comments on the subject, while much of the narrative surrounding their relationship has come from media reports and recollections from people associated with their films.
A chapter from the 1990s
For audiences who watched Hindi cinema in the 1990s, Patekar and Koirala’s association was memorable not only because of the films they made together, but also because of the curiosity surrounding their equation away from the camera.
Yet, with Patekar’s death, the story is best revisited by distinguishing what was publicly reported from what was actually confirmed.
The film’s writer recalled their closeness during ‘Agni Sakshi’, while the romantic dimension remained a matter of speculation.
Koirala’s tribute, meanwhile, focused on Patekar’s contribution as an actor and his commitment to cinema rather than on the rumors that surrounded their personal lives.
Patekar died in Goa on Thursday at 75. His son Malhar confirmed his death. Reports from Manipal Hospital said the actor suffered a cardiac arrest, although further medical and procedural details were being examined.