Gen VK Singh Pays Tribute to Nana Patekar, Recalls Prahaar Shoot With Late Actor
New Delhi, October 8, 2026: Former Indian Army Chief General V.K. Singh has paid tribute to Nana Patekar after reports on Thursday morning claimed that the veteran actor had died at the age of 75. In a message posted on X, General Singh recalled the two men’s association during the making of the 1991 military drama Prahaar: The Final Attack and described Patekar as an actor who brought unusual seriousness and realism to the screen.
General Singh said he had observed Patekar closely while Prahaar was being filmed and remembered him as more than just a performer. Sharing photographs from the film on social media, Singh wrote: “The news of Nana Patekar’s untimely passing away is deeply saddening. I have observed him closely during the filming of PRAHAR. He was not merely a remarkable actor, but a powerful presence,”
He added that Patekar’s approach to the role stood out for its discipline and attention to authenticity. “His dedication, hardwork and no nonsense approach ensure realism in the role acted. His contribution to Indian cinema and the memories he leaves behind will endure,” Singh said, before offering condolences to the actor’s family, friends and admirers.
The tribute has drawn renewed attention to a little-known link between the Indian Army and Hindi cinema. Prahaar: The Final Attack, released in 1991, was directed by Nana Patekar himself, who also played the central role of Major V.S. Chauhan, a tough and disciplined Indian Army officer tasked with training commandos. The film explored the rigours of military training, the importance of discipline and the sacrifices demanded of soldiers.
General V.K. Singh also appeared briefly in the film when he was serving as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army. Years later, he would go on to become India’s 24th Chief of Army Staff, serving from March 2010 to May 2012. His participation in Prahaar gave Patekar direct exposure to a serving officer and, by extension, to the professional standards and realities of military life that the actor tried to bring to the film.
The movie became noted for its depiction of Army commandos and the physical and mental strain involved in their training. For defence enthusiasts, Patekar’s portrayal of Major Chauhan remains one of the most memorable elements of the film and one of his most recognisable performances.
A relationship with the armed forces beyond the film set
Patekar’s association with the armed forces extended beyond Prahaar. The actor joined the Territorial Army in 1988 and underwent military training, building a personal connection with India’s defence services that remained visible in later years.
His experience in uniform helped shape the authenticity of his role in Prahaar, where he portrayed an officer known for strict discipline, leadership and an uncompromising approach to training. Unlike conventional Bollywood war or military films, Prahaar focused closely on the realities of service life and the standards expected of soldiers.
During the 1999 Kargil War, that connection appeared again. Patekar reportedly spent several weeks, with some accounts suggesting around two months, alongside Indian Army personnel while fighting continued in the Kargil sector. He was reportedly associated with the Maratha Light Infantry during that period and spent time with troops deployed in the conflict.
His presence during the war reflected an interest in military service that extended beyond his career in cinema. Patekar later spoke publicly about his time with soldiers and about the need to recognise the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces.
Reported death in Goa
The reports circulating on Thursday morning said Patekar suffered a cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa. He was reportedly found unconscious, after which medical personnel attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation for about 45 minutes before he was declared dead at around 5:20 a.m. The circumstances and medical details, however, require independent confirmation.
Born on January 1, 1951, Patekar established himself as one of Indian cinema’s most distinctive performers, with acclaimed roles in films including Parinda, Krantiveer, Ab Tak Chhappan and Prahaar. For India’s defence community, his association with the Territorial Army, his reported presence during the Kargil War and his realistic portrayal of an Army officer in Prahaar have remained important parts of his public image.
General V.K. Singh’s tribute has once again brought that unusual connection into focus: a future Army Chief and a celebrated actor coming together for a film shaped around military discipline, courage and sacrifice.
