Nana Patekar remembers actor Nilkanth Phule, his mentor and father figure

With the death of veteran Marathi actor Nilu Phule, Nana Patekar has lost a father figure.

With the death of veteran Marathi actor Nilu Phule, Nana Patekar has lost a father figure.
Emotional as ever, Nana speaks after two days of silence. "When he passed, I just withdrew from all human interaction. Everything seemed so futile, sou00a0 made-up and unreal. I've lostu00a0 more than just a mentor. It's like losing my own father all over again."

Babu ka haath

Nana Patekar	Rest in peace: Nilu Phule

Nana emotionally recalls how big a hand Nilu Phule played in getting the younger actor into films. "Nilu Babu recommended me to any one and everyone that mattered. That's how I got into films. Without his support, I'd have never been in films. I think I've inherited a lot of his dedication to acting.

Also, like Nilu Babu I've remained cut off from theu00a0 Mumbai film industry," says the actor who lives in Pune, for the most part. The departed actor treated Nana like a family member. "Whenever he and his wifeu00a0 would have a difference of opinion, she would call me to intervene. Their daughter Gargi is like my own child."

A gardener at heart

Elaborating on the deceased actor's politics he continues, " He was heavily influenced by the teachings of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia. He'd joke that there are two Marwaris in front of whom his head was bowed. One was his wife and the other was Dr Lohia."

Nana adds, "Do you know, Nilu Babu was a gardener by profession? That's right! He used to be a baghbaan in theu00a0 medical college where Dr Sreeram Lagoo was a doctor." Nana was heavily influenced by his culture of agri- culture, "He was a gardener and farmer at heart. I imbibed his love for growing things from the soil. If today, I can spend days and weeks on my farm just enjoying cultivating and growing fruits, vegetables and crops, it's because I saw my mentor and my father figure doing the same."

Sighs Nana, "Aise log abu00a0 kahan? Inu00a0 his death, I feel suchu00a0 au00a0 grave loss. He lived just ten minutes away from me in Pune. But in his last days, he forbade me and all the people who loved him from visiting him. When a man has lived a life as full and fulfilling as Nilu Babu, heu00a0 doesn't want tou00a0 be seenu00a0 languishing away."

Mastering existence

Phule remained attached to charitable work until his dying day, "He gave away a part of his earnings to the Sewa Dal. I think those who live not just for themselves but for others haveu00a0 mastered the mystery of existence. Nilu Babu was one suchu00a0 person I knew. I was very fortunate to have been associated with him."