Filmmaker Malhar Patekar, son of veteran Bollywood actor Nana Patekar, has opened up about his parents’ decades-long separation, explaining that their emotional connection remained strong despite living apart. His remarks have also addressed public speculation about the family’s relationships and the actor’s final days.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Malhar reflected on his upbringing and the resilience he learned from his parents. He said the family remained emotionally connected, despite the assumptions people made about their personal lives.
Nana Patekar and his wife, Neelkanthi Patekar, married in 1978. Although the couple reportedly lived separately for around 35 years, they did not legally divorce. Their relationship has attracted renewed attention following Nana’s death on October 8, 2026, at the age of 75. <Link url=”https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/malhar-patekar-opens-up-about-the-loss-of-his-father-actor-nana-patekar-the-world-around-me-stopped-101791980803579.html” title=”Read the Hindustan Times interview”/>.
Malhar explained that outsiders could not fully understand the family’s bond simply by looking at their living arrangements or social media activity. He stressed that his experience of family life was different from the picture some people had formed.
“Whatever it looks like from the outside to people doesn’t matter to me,” Malhar told Hindustan Times, adding that he had always received love from his parents, uncle and cousins.
He also challenged the assumption that the absence of family photographs on Instagram indicated a lack of closeness. According to Malhar, the family maintained meaningful relationships even after his parents began living separately.
His comments offered a personal perspective on a family arrangement that had often prompted curiosity. Rather than focusing on public perceptions, Malhar emphasised the emotional support and resilience he experienced while growing up.
Nana and Neelkanthi had two sons. Their elder son, Durvasa, died during childhood, while Malhar is their surviving son. The family’s experience of loss has formed part of their personal history, which has largely remained private over the years.
Malhar also addressed speculation about his father’s health and final days, rejecting claims that Nana had been alone or abandoned by his family.
He said family members remained involved in the actor’s life and that his father had continued to maintain an active lifestyle. Malhar recalled that Nana regularly exercised at a gym for around two and a half hours, describing him as remarkably fit and energetic.
His remarks sought to correct online narratives that he felt did not reflect the family’s actual circumstances. He reiterated that the absence of frequent public photographs should not be mistaken for emotional distance.
Nana Patekar died in Goa on October 8, 2026, aged 75, following a cardiac arrest, according to published reports. His last rites were performed with full state honours at his farmhouse near Pune. <Link url=”https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/bollywood-actor-nana-patekar-dies-75-2026-10-08/” title=”Read the Reuters report on Nana Patekar’s death”/>.
The actor’s death brought renewed attention to his personal life, particularly his long-standing relationship with Neelkanthi. Her presence at the funeral also prompted discussion about how the couple maintained their family ties despite years of living separately.
Malhar’s account highlights the difference between a family’s private reality and the assumptions that can develop through social media and public discussion. His message was that relationships cannot always be understood through photographs, public appearances or conventional expectations about marriage.
The story also offers a broader reflection on how families navigate complicated circumstances while preserving affection and mutual respect. For Malhar, the lasting connection between his parents and the support he received from relatives mattered more than outside opinions.
Through his candid remarks, Malhar has provided insight into the family life behind one of Indian cinema’s most recognisable actors. His account presents a more personal view of Nana Patekar’s family, emphasising emotional bonds, resilience and the importance of understanding relationships beyond appearances.