Cop Daya Nayak mourns Nana Patekar, 'friend' who told his story in Ab Tak Chhappan

Daya Nayak, the Mumbai Police encounter specialist who inspired Nana Patekar’s character in Ab Tak Chhappan, mourned the actor’s death in an emotional post on X. Patekar played Inspector Sadhu Agashe in the 2004 crime drama, a character loosely based on Nayak’s life and work.Sharing a video and a photograph with Patekar, Nayak recalled their last conversation and remembered the actor not just for his performances, but also as a close friend.“I can’t quite believe you are gone we spoke just a few days ago, and somehow the thought that that was our last conversation feels impossible to believe,” Nayak wrote.He went on to remember Patekar’s performance as Sadhu Agashe and said the actor had brought a deeper understanding of police officers to the character. “Such a wonderfully versatile actor and the extraordinary way you inhabited every character you played. You inspired me while playing a character inspired by me..you didn’t simply portray a police officer—you made people understand the person behind the uniform, the pressures, the humanity and what it truly means to be a police officer. And you did it with such honesty and depth,” he wrote.‘Byeond the actor was a friend'Nayak also remembered Patekar as a friend he could rely on. “But beyond the actor was the friend—the Nana I could always count on. Warm, dependable, generous and always there when it mattered,” he wrote. He added that he would miss the actor deeply and described himself as fortunate to have known him.He ended his tribute by writing, “Till we meet again, Nana.. You will be deeply missed and fondly remembered, always. Om Shanti ”I can’t quite believe you are gone we spoke just a few days ago, and somehow the thought that that was our last conversation feels impossible to believe.. ..such a wonderfully versatile actor and the extraordinary way you inhabited every character you played. You inspired me while playing a character inspired by me..you didn’t simply portray a police officer—you made people understand the person behind the uniform, the pressures, the humanity and what it truly means to be a police officer. And you did it with such honesty and depth.. But beyond the actor was the friend—the Nana I could always count on. Warm, dependable, generous and always there when it mattered. I will miss you terribly. I feel incredibly lucky to have known you, and most of all, to have called you my friend and brother.. Till we meet again, Nana.. You will be deeply missed and fondly remembered, always. Om Shanti— DAYA NAYAK (@DayaBNayak) October 8, 2026Nana Patekar's Sadhu Agashe was inspired by NayakNana Patekar played Inspector Sadhu Agashe in Ab Tak Chhappan, a 2004 crime drama directed by Shimit Amin and produced by Ram Gopal Varma. The film follows a Mumbai police officer who is part of the city’s encounter squad.The character was inspired by the real-life career of Daya Nayak, who was one of Mumbai Police’s well-known encounter specialists. The film drew from the world of the Mumbai encounter squad and its portrayal of police officers involved in encounters.The title Ab Tak Chhappan refers to the number of encounters attributed to Patekar’s character in the film.The film was initially reportedly planned with the title Daya, after the real-life police officer, before the makers changed it.Patekar’s portrayal of Sadhu Agashe became one of his memorable performances. His restrained manner and intense portrayal of the police officer earned praise, while the film went on to become an important part of his career.Nana Patekar died at the age of 75 on Thursday, October 8. His death has prompted tributes from several actors and colleagues, who have remembered his distinctive performances and contribution to Indian cinema.- Ends