Nana Patekar: The Actor Who Was Also a National-Level Shooter and a Huge Virat Kohli Fan

Nana Patekar was known to millions of Indians as an actor who could make even a few lines of dialogue unforgettable. But behind the actor was another side that many people did not know as well — a deep love for sport.

Nana Patekar died at the age of 75 on October 8, 2026, after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. Doctors reportedly tried to revive him for around 45 minutes, but he could not be saved.

As tributes poured in, another part of his life has also come back into focus: he was a serious competitive shooter and a passionate cricket fan.

His sporting journey was not simply a celebrity trying a new hobby. Patekar competed at national-level shooting events and produced performances good enough to earn recognition as a “Renowned Shot.”

Nana Patekar won a national shooting bronze

In January 2007, Patekar was part of the Maharashtra team that won a bronze medal at the National 300m Big Bore Shooting Championship at Mhow, near Indore.

His individual performance was also impressive.

Using a borrowed rifle, Patekar scored 549 out of 600 points and finished 13th among 49 competitors. That was 33 points better than his previous personal best of 516.

This was particularly notable because Patekar was already a well-established actor by then.

The Maharashtra team finished third. Their total was only two points behind Chhattisgarh, while Services won the team competition.

So, the claim that Nana “won bronze” needs a little context: the bronze was won by the Maharashtra team, while Patekar contributed through his individual score.

He earned the title 'Renowned Shot'

Patekar's 2007 performance also earned him the classification “Renowned Shot” after he finished above half of the participants.

At the time, he spoke confidently about his shooting ability and said he believed he could score as high as 590 out of 600 after getting a new rifle.

The title also had a practical significance under the rules of that period. It allowed him to import a rifle without paying customs duty, according to the contemporary report.

His interest in shooting was not something that appeared suddenly.

According to later accounts of his shooting journey, Patekar became seriously involved in competitive shooting around 2001, when he was about 49. He competed in events including the 50m rifle prone and 300m big-bore disciplines.

His connection with the Army helped his shooting

There was also a connection between Patekar's acting career and his interest in firearms.

For his 1991 film Prahaar, Patekar underwent training with the Indian Army. Later accounts of his shooting career have linked this experience to his familiarity with weapons and shooting.

But his interest went beyond simply handling firearms for a film.

He trained at shooting ranges and eventually entered competitive events.

That makes his sporting story unusual: he did not just play the role of a soldier or shooter on screen; he also developed genuine competitive skills away from cinema.

Cricket was another big part of his life

Shooting was not Patekar's only sporting passion. He also loved cricket.

In interviews, he spoke about playing cricket during his childhood and described himself as an off-spin bowler.

His early relationship with cricket was also connected to his financial struggles.

Patekar recalled that when he was young, he did not have enough money to pay for formal cricket training. Instead, he would go to Shivaji Park in Mumbai and bowl to people who were practising there.

This detail gives a different picture of the actor's early life.

Before becoming one of India's most recognisable performers, he was a young man trying to find opportunities wherever he could.

Why Virat Kohli was his favourite cricketer

Among modern Indian cricketers, Virat Kohli held a special place in Patekar's heart.

In an interview, Patekar revealed just how emotionally invested he was in Kohli's batting.

He said that Kohli was his favourite player and that when Kohli got out early, he would lose his appetite and not feel like eating.

The comment later became popular on social media, particularly after Kohli was dismissed early during a Test match. It showed the lighter and more personal side of Patekar's cricket fandom.

For a man known for intense characters and serious performances, the image of him getting upset because his favourite batsman was dismissed early became a memorable part of his public personality.

Why Nana's sporting side is worth remembering

Nana Patekar's sporting interests tell us something important about the actor beyond his films. He was not someone who simply attached himself to popular sports because of his celebrity status. In shooting, he actually competed at the national level. In cricket, his interest went back to his childhood. And in both cases, there was an element of persistence. He trained, competed and continued to remain connected with sport even while building a successful acting career.

His shooting achievements are especially striking because they came at an age when many people would not normally expect someone to begin competing seriously at the national level.

From struggling youngster to celebrated actor

Patekar's sporting story also sits within a much larger life journey. Born as Vishwanath Patekar, he built his career through Marathi theatre and Indian cinema before becoming one of the most respected actors in Hindi films. His career included critically acclaimed films as well as mainstream successes. His performances in films such as Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Parinda, Ab Tak Chhappan, Natsamrat and Welcome showed his ability to move between intense drama, social cinema and mainstream entertainment. He was also a director and theatre performer.

His contribution to Indian cinema was recognised with the Padma Shri in 2013. But his legacy was not limited to acting. His involvement in social work, his connection with rural issues and his long association with theatre added further dimensions to his public life.

A different side of Nana Patekar The death of a major actor often brings back famous films, memorable dialogues and iconic characters. But Nana Patekar's story has another interesting chapter. He was a man who could move from a film set to a shooting range, from discussing acting to talking passionately about cricket. In 2007, he stood on a national shooting podium with the Maharashtra team after competing with a borrowed rifle. Years later, he could still speak like an ordinary cricket fan about his favourite player, Virat Kohli. That combination perhaps captures something essential about Nana Patekar: the public saw the actor, but behind the actor was a man with strong personal passions, discipline and a lifelong connection with sport.

His national-level shooting medal and his love for cricket may not be the first things people remember about him. But they are an important part of the story of the man behind the famous face.