Utkarsh Sharma and Nana Patekar recently starred together in the Hindi family drama film Vanvaas, directed by Utkarsh’s father Anil Sharma. The film follows the emotional journey of Deepak Tyagi (Nana Patekar), an elderly father suffering from dementia who is abandoned by his children in Varanasi. He crosses paths with Veeru (Utkarsh Sharma), a street-smart young con artist who steps up to care for him, developing a deep, familial bond. It released theatrically on 20 December 2024 and later premiered digitally on ZEE5 on 14 March 2025. Utkarsh speaks of his bonding with the late actor.
You shared substantial screen time with Nana Patekar, what was that like?
Working with Nana Sir in Vanvaas was a dream come true for me. I had grown up admiring him as an actor, and getting the opportunity to share the screen with him was something I will always cherish.
Co-actors were wary of his temperamental nature?
I remember being nervous initially, especially during scenes where my character had to be harsh towards his. But Nana Sir made me feel completely at ease. He told me, ‘Do whatever the scene demands. Don’t see me as Nana Patekar, see me as the character.’ That simple advice gave me the confidence to perform freely.But you know what made him special?
Tell me?
What made him truly special wasn’t just his extraordinary talent, but his humility, discipline, and warmth. He treated everyone on set like family. I fondly remember how he would cook for the entire unit and personally serve us food. I was fortunate enough to taste his delicious homemade misal pav.
Nana Patekar was very fond of you?
Nana Sir taught me so much, not just about acting, but about being a better human being. His passing is deeply heartbreaking, and it’s difficult to imagine that he is no longer with us. I will forever be grateful for the time I spent with him, the lessons he taught me, and the love he showed me. The world has lost an extraordinary artist, but I feel I have lost a mentor and someone I deeply admired. He will always hold a very special place in my heart.
