Pune: “We are soldiers… pain doesn’t tire us, weak thinking does”, more than three decades after Nana Patekar delivered the line as Major VS Chavan in the 1991 cult film ‘Prahaar’, continues to find relevance in the training of Indian Army.Veterans of the Maratha Light Infantry (MLI) say the dialogue is still recalled by instructors while motivating young recruits, particularly while emphasising mental toughness, discipline and the ability to endure physical hardship, in the regimental centres of the army. For soldiers, the line is not merely a memorable piece of cinema. It captures an important principle of military training that physical pain and exhaustion can be overcome when a soldier remains mentally strong and focused on the mission.Patekar, who passed away in Goa on Thursday, is being remembered by MLI veterans as a “real fauji” whose association with the armed forces extended far beyond his celebrated portrayal of an Army officer. In ‘Prahaar’, Patekar played Major Chavan, a tough, disciplined and uncompromising officer who trains a group of young commandos for a dangerous mission. His portrayal was marked by aggressive body language, mental toughness, physical intensity and an uncompromising sense of duty.Patekar also directed the film, which was shot extensively at MLI Regimental Centre and Commando Training Centre in Belagavi in 1990. The interaction with officers and soldiers during the production helped him bring an unusual degree of authenticity to the character.Former Army Chief General VK Singh, Governor of Mizoram, who was posted as an instructor at Commando Training Centre in Belgaum during the shooting of the ‘Prahaar’ movie, said in an X post, “The news of Nana Patekar’s untimely passing away is deeply saddening. I have observed him closely during the filming of ‘Prahaar’. He was not merely a remarkable actor, but a powerful presence. He worked hard to fit into the role given to him to act. His dedication, hard work and no-nonsense approach ensure realism in the role acted. His contribution to Indian cinema and the memories he leaves behind will endure. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and countless admirers. May his soul attain sadgati. Om Shanti.”For veterans who interacted with him, however, Patekar was not simply an actor portraying the army officer. “His attitude, thinking, body language, confidence and overall behaviour were no less than that of an Army officer,” said Col Sambhaji Patil (retd), a close friend of Patekar for several years. Patil recalled meeting Patekar during the shooting of ‘Prahaar’. One of the songs was shot at the officers’ mess, while the actor was staying at a hotel near the MLI centre. “I had travelled by bus to meet him. The next day he did not have a shooting. Since I had to travel to Kolhapur, Nana came to drop me in his car. He drove all the way to Kolhapur just to spend time with me and talk,” Patil recalled.Their friendship continued long after the film was completed. Patekar regularly visited Patil’s home and became closely associated with his family. “Nana himself made nearly 3,000 handmade wedding invitation cards for my daughter’s marriage. He was also one of the people standing at the entrance of the wedding hall to receive guests,” Patil said.Patekar’s determination to understand the military profession also extended to training. According to Patil, he attended a course at Junior Leaders Wing in Belagavi but did not receive the grading he had expected in the first attempt. “He opted for the course again and earned an instructor grading. That was his love for Indian Army and also showed his fitness level and determination,” Patil said.Major General CD Sawant (retd), former commandant of MLI Centre, said Patekar received considerable assistance from Army officers while preparing for ‘Prahaar’. He developed a particularly close association with Col Sunil Deshpande, who died in 2018. “Col Deshpande helped him understand various aspects of military training for the movie. They remained in contact even after the film. Later, Deshpande started Prahar Academy in Nagpur to motivate youngsters to pursue careers in the armed forces,” Sawant said.Patekar’s military association continued at National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla. He regularly attended passing-out parades and visited the academy’s shooting range during the 2000s. Col Vinay Dalvi (retd), then NDA’s physical training officer, recalled Patekar as a familiar face at the academy. “Nana was a regular visitor and would practise at the range. He was an easy-going person and behaved as if he was posted at NDA. He participated in various functions, including official dinners,” Dalvi said.For the veterans who knew him, Major Pratap Chavan was therefore more than a memorable screen character. And that is why, decades after ‘Prahaar’, his words about soldiers and patriotic thinking continue to echo beyond the cinema screen.
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