MyVoice: Views of our readers 11th October 2026

Nana Patekar: A life of service beyond acting

The passing away of Nana Patekar at 75 marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Indian cinema. A powerful and versatile actor, he brought honesty and depth to every role, whether serious or comic. His performances in films such as Krantiveer, Parinda, Natsamrat and Welcome remain memorable. But his legacy extends far beyond the screen. Through the NAAM Foundation, which he co-founded with actor Makarand Anaspure, Patekar worked extensively for distressed farmers and drought-hit rural communities in Maharashtra. The foundation supported affected families and undertook water-conservation and village-development initiatives. His decision to devote time and resources to those in distress reflected his deep concern for ordinary people. Nana Patekar will be remembered not only for his acting histrionics, but also for his humanity and social commitment.

N Sadhasiva Reddy, Bengaluru-560056

Saviour of farmers in distress

Nana Patekar, a humanitarian, real-life “Krantiveer”, who helped farmers and rural people in distress during drought (through the NAAM Foundation that he co-founded in 2015). NAAM took up several water conservation projects and extended direct financial help to widows of farmers. He lived a simple lifestyle and donated huge money for the welfare of the poor. Nana Patekar will remain an ever-twinkling star in the hearts of farmers and the poor).

Shreelekha, Secunderabad-61

A legend who redefined acting

Nana Patekar’s five-decade legacy of fierce screen presence and iconic dialogue delivery demands a cinematic canvas as massive as the actor himself. His effortless, natural acting allowed him to shine equally across Marathi theatre and mainstream Bollywood, seamlessly transitioning between roles as a villain, hero, or comedian. Remarkably, he holds the unique record of winning Filmfare Awards in three distinct categories-Best villain (Angaar, Apaharan), best actor (Krantiveer), and best supporting actor (Parinda).

The 1990s marked the golden era of his career, delivering major box-office hits like Shakti, Khamoshi, and Angaar. His rare ability to carry a film entirely on his own shoulders, without depending on a conventional lead hero, truly revolutionized the industry.

Indian film history will forever cherish the diverse, immortal characters he brought to life. Patekar’s vast contributions to films, coupled with his selfless philanthropic service for the downtrodden, deserve the highest recognition among cinema lovers and the country.

M Pradyu, Kannur-670001

Remembering the inimitable Nana

Nana Patekar was never an actor who simply blended into the background. Whether portraying a wounded father, a ruthless criminal, a police officer or a comic character, he brought a distinctive voice, intensity and temperament to every role.

From Parinda and Krantiveer to Khamoshi: The Musical, his remarkable career encompassed a wide range of characters and emotions. He could make a quiet scene deeply moving and, in the very next moment, leave audiences laughing. His contribution to Hindi and Marathi theatre and cinema over nearly five decades has left an enduring mark on Indian cinema. Patekar’s powerful performances, unforgettable voice and commanding screen presence made him a truly memorable figure on the silver screen. His work will continue to be cherished by generations of cinema lovers.

Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai

Nana, the actor personified

He was the vagrant who became the vigilante in Ankush (1986); the never-do-well whose hanging becomes a tamasha in Krantiveer (1994); and the abusive husband who turns the gun on himself in Agni Sakshi (1997). Nana Patekar was each of them and one who channelled the anger of the middle class. With his powerful monologues, angry eyes, and an ability to act with his entire physique, he was a trained artist and natural theatre kid who livcould overperform and underact given the role. But he created lasting characters that will remain his legacy. There were whispers of romances gone wrong, and allegations of harassment, but Patekar never shied away from asking questions to the powerful or creating value for the needy. An actor who chose to be an outsider, a professional who spoke his mind, and a human being who was flawed but fearless, Patekar rose from relative poverty to the height of fame in Bollywood. He didn’t come to movies via art cinema like Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri. He came through Marathi plays which he watched with his father as a child. He was not a trained actor but had seen enough of life in straitened circumstances to understand hunger and humiliation. This gave him both his pride and his prejudices. And it gave him the opportunity to pour his entire life experiences into roles such as Mira Nair’s 1988 classic Salaam Bombay, Ab Tak Chhappan (2004) or the police chief in Ram Gopal Varma’s The Attacks of 26/11 (2013).

Abhisheck Ram, Calicut-673002

A legacy beyond the limelight

Nana Patekar’s unexpected demise has cast a pall of gloom over the Hindi film industry and left his countless ardent fans in a state of profound grief. Although Bollywood boasts a plethora of popular and established actors, Nana Patekar has carved a niche with his genuine, effortless and convincing performances. At a time when many actors resort to exaggerated gestures and over the top performances to steal the show, Patekar has always won the hearts of his audience through his unfeigned mannerisms, authentic body language and compelling expressions all of which blend seamlessly with the characters he portrays. He has never needed to blow his own trumpet or rely on superficial theatrics to make his presence felt on the silver screen. His sheer talent and remarkable versatility have always spoken volumes about his calibre as an actor. Having devoted a considerable portion of his earnings to the uplift of the poor and downtrodden, he has always been regarded as a good Samaritan and a philanthropist.

Indeed, his artistic legacy is a testament to the fact that true talent needs no embellishment; it simply speaks for itself.

Prabhakaran Vallath, Vatakara-673102

The real story is not the rate hike

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the repo rate by 25 basis points, from 5.25 per cent to 5.50 per cent on October 7 but is a 25-basis-point increase really something to worry about? We would not be too worried about the increase alone. The more important part of the October policy is the reason behind it and the change in RBI’s policy stance from neutral to calibrated tightening. This gives us a better idea of what it could possibly do in the coming months. The RBI has raised its inflation forecast for 2026-27 to 5.2 per cent, while also increasing its GDP growth forecast to 7.1 per cent. This is an interesting combination. Growth remains strong, but inflation is a concern. The central bank is worried that price pressures may continue if the risks are not addressed in time. Food prices remain an important concern, but crude oil has added another layer of uncertainty. The continuing situation in West Asia can affect global oil prices. India, being a large importer of crude oil, is particularly exposed to such movements. A rise in crude oil prices does not stop with petrol and diesel. It can increase transportation costs and the cost of several industrial inputs. Chemicals, fertilizers, plastics and many other products are linked, directly or indirectly, to energy prices. These higher costs can gradually reach businesses and households. The RBI cannot control crude oil prices or increase agricultural production by changing the repo rate. What it can do is try to prevent a temporary rise in prices from turning into a wider and lasting inflation problem. Higher interest rates can moderate demand and help keep inflation expectations under control. This is one reason the change in policy stance deserves attention. The more important development is the RBI’s change from a neutral to a calibrated tightening stance. It reflects concern that inflation risks have increased, particularly because of food prices, crude oil and global uncertainties. At the same time, the RBI has raised its growth forecast to 7.1 per cent. This shows that it still expects the Indian economy to maintain strong momentum. For a borrower, this is a good time to review the cost of existing loans and avoid taking on unnecessary debt. For depositors, a firm interest-rate environment may provide better opportunities for fixed-income returns. Businesses need to keep an eye on their cost of funds, while investors will be watching inflation and the RBI’s next move. The issue is not the 25-basis-point increase alone. It is what may follow. The RBI is trying to support economic growth while ensuring that inflation does not become a bigger problem. The next few months will tell us whether the October rate hike was a one-time adjustment or the beginning of a new phase of tighter monetary policy.

Maniam Ramani Jayanthy, Chennai-40

Affordable cancer medicines must reach every patient

The government’s proposal to cap trade margins on costly cancer medicines is a welcome step towards making treatment more affordable (Cancer drugs prices likely to fall by 70%, Oct 9). For many families, the price of a cancer drug can determine whether a patient starts treatment, continues it, or must stop. Cancer places a heavy financial burden on households across India, especially on people with low incomes, rural families and those without adequate insurance.

Research has found that more than three-quarters of cancer-care costs may be paid directly by patients and their families. Such expenses can force households to borrow money, sell assets or cut back on essentials. The burden extends beyond medicines to tests, hospital visits, travel and accommodation. The proposed cap should therefore be accompanied by clear safeguards. The government should publish the list of covered medicines and their revised prices, monitor retailers and distributors, and act against excessive charges or shortages. It should also ensure reliable supplies in public hospitals and pharmacies, including in rural and underserved areas, so that patients are not forced to buy medicines at higher prices from elsewhere.

Price controls are an important beginning, but affordability also depends on availability and access to financial support. The government must ensure that eligible patients can obtain these medicines without avoidable delays, paperwork or hidden costs. A life-saving medicine is affordable only when it is both within reach financially and physically available to the person who needs it. The success of this policy should ultimately be measured not by the size of the announced price reduction, but by whether it helps every cancer patient—particularly the most vulnerable—receive timely treatment.

Andukuri Srinidhi, Hyderabad

Kudos to Navi Pillay

It’s a moment of joy for the people of India to know that an Indian origin Navi Pillay, who is also a former judge of international criminal court from South Africa has bagged the Nobel Peace prize this year. Her track record to help to maintain human rights and international law globally has earned the coveted prize. She has minced no words to call the Israel’s attack on Gaza a genocide for which he was criticised by the United States and Israel. As the first non-white judge chosen by Nelson Mandela, she did great work to protect human rights there. She deserves all the praise.

Dr DVG Sankara Rao, ex MP, Vizianagaram

Nobel Peace Prize for a noble person

Another feather has been added to Tamil Nadu’s cap with the Norwegian Nobel Committee honouring Navi Pillay, the Indian-origin, world-renowned jurist and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, with this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. The award recognises her lifelong commitment to fighting apartheid, defending human rights and holding those responsible for grave violations accountable, including in countries such as Israel, which faces serious allegations of human rights abuses. The Committee has justified its selection by citing her courage, vision and determination in guarding “the thin red line between order and chaos” through her work on the bench.

In South Africa during the apartheid era and in other settings involving deeply sensitive legal issues, Pillay and her fellow jurists confronted injustice and defended vulnerable populations. Her recognition will be welcomed by all who believe in equal rights for every human being and aspire to a world where people live in peace and harmony, like brothers and sisters, irrespective of colour, creed, religion or nationality.

Navi Pillay’s distinguished career and commitment to human rights deserve recognition and admiration.

Shalini Gerald, Chennai-92

Viksit Bharat must be free from the scourge of caste

The “purification” ritual performed at the location where Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public rally in Uttarakhand has revived the debate on the continuing practice of untouchability. Apart from the legal guarantees that as safeguards serve a limited purpose, de-sanctification of caste, inter-caste marriages and adequate representation for the Dalits in power, education and employment are needed for the eventual abolition of untouchability and the reorganization and reconstruction of the society. Once the notions of superiority and inferiority and purity and pollution that exist “in the mind” lose their religious sanction or sacredness, it becomes easier for people to repudiate them and replace them with a sense of common humanity. Inter-caste marriages and interbreeding result in fusion of blood, a mixed or heterogeneous gene pool, “organic filaments” and “consciousness of kind”. They end discrimination based on the accident of birth, genealogy, descent or heredity and serve as the “solvent of caste”. Representation for the victims of centuries of caste oppression assimilates them into the mainstream, empowers them and provides them with a sense of belonging. True patriots work for the annihilation of caste and the realization of the ideals of “fraternity” and “dignity” in real life. Viksit Bharat must be free from the scourge of caste.

G David Milton, Maruthancode (TN)

TN’s Dravidian politics is far from over

A cursory glance at the results of the by-elections in the Dharapuram and Madurantakam constituencies in Tamil Nadu suggests that voters are not yet willing to accept the TVK, led by Chief Minister Vijay, as the only political alternative. The results also indicate that the two major Dravidian parties are far from being written off. In Dharapuram, TVK won by a margin of 9,471 votes over the DMK nominee, while in Madurantakam, its margin over the DMK was 20,040 votes. Significantly, the combined vote share of the DMK and AIADMK was 56.85 per cent in Dharapuram, with 1,02,650 votes, compared with TVK’s 37.02 per cent. In Madurantakam, the two Dravidian parties together secured 54.76 per cent, against TVK’s 39.96 per cent. It is also worth noting that the DMK contested without allies, whereas TVK had the support of several allies, including parties that had moved away from the DMK camp. TVK’s victories may partly be attributed to Vijay’s cinematic popularity. However, the results also indicate that the Dravidian parties retain a considerable support base, possibly reflecting public appreciation of their welfare schemes, particularly those benefiting the poor and disadvantaged.

The message is clear; electoral victories for TVK do not necessarily signal the end of Dravidian politics. The two established Dravidian parties remain formidable political forces, and it would be premature to write off their future in Tamil Nadu.

Tharcius S. Fernando, Chennai-92

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The Hans India