The Iranian Embassy in India on Thursday paid tribute to veteran actor Nana Patekar, remembering him through his iconic Uday Shetty character from Welcome in a throwback post shared on X.
The post focused
not just on Patekar’s passing, but on the lasting popularity of one of his most memorable screen characters.
The post wrote, “Rest in peace, #NanaPatekar. A great actor has left us, but Uday Shetty and all his unforgettable characters will live on forever. Om Shanti.” Alongside the message, it shared a scene featuring Patekar as Uday Shetty, with the image also carrying the message: “Uday Bhai, you will be missed.”
Rest in peace, #NanaPatekar. A great actor has left us, but Uday Shetty and all his unforgettable characters will live on forever.
Om Shanti https://t.co/DxO2HvAUGS— Iran in India (@Iran_in_India) October 8, 2026
Why Uday Shetty Stands Out
Patekar’s portrayal of Uday Shetty in Anees Bazmee’s 2007 comedy Welcome became one of the most recognisable comic performances of his career. The character, a feared underworld don with an unexpectedly emotional and often hilarious side, introduced Patekar to a different generation of mainstream Bollywood audiences.
His on-screen partnership with Anil Kapoor’s Majnu Bhai became one of the film’s biggest highlights. Their comic timing, exaggerated reactions and memorable exchanges turned the two characters into enduring pop-culture favourites.
Patekar later reprised the role of Uday Shetty in Welcome Back in 2015, further cementing the character’s place in popular culture.
Nana Patekar Dies At 75
Nana Patekar died on Thursday, October 8, at the age of 75. He was found unresponsive at his home in Goa in the early hours of the morning and was taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him for around 45 minutes. He was declared dead at around 5:20 am. Doctors said the cause was cardiac arrest.
His death was later confirmed by his family, while tributes poured in from across the film industry and beyond. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled his death, praising Patekar’s intensity, individuality and versatility as an actor.
From Intense Roles To Comic Icon
Born Vishwanath Patekar in Maharashtra in 1951, Nana Patekar built a career spanning nearly five decades across Hindi and Marathi cinema, beginning with his film debut in Gaman in 1978. He went on to deliver acclaimed performances in films including Parinda, Prahaar, Khamoshi: The Musical, Krantiveer, Ab Tak Chhappan and Raajneeti.
He won three National Film Awards and was also honoured with the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema.
While his intense performances established him as one of Indian cinema’s most respected actors, Uday Shetty showed another side of Patekar one that could make audiences laugh just as effortlessly.
That contrast is what made the Iran in India tribute particularly fitting: the actor may be gone, but characters such as Uday Shetty continue to live on through the scenes, dialogues and memories audiences keep returning to.
