Nana Patekar in an old exclusive interview with ETimes once revealed what real awards meant to him. The late actor had said that while awards are a form of appreciation, the real awards are the experiences and memories that stay with us. Nana also narrated a memorable story about meeting legendary actor Dilip Kumar after receiving a National Award.Recalling his memories of some of the legends of Indian cinema, Nana had said:“For me, nostalgia is Motilal ji, Balraj Sahni, and Yusuf Khan (Dilip Kumar). My favourite film is ‘Ganga Jamuna’, and the character played by Dilip Kumar is extraordinary. I’ve been fortunate to meet such legends. I’ve received awards from them, and these moments are my greatest treasures.”“I still remember when Dilip Kumar invited me for lunch after I won a National Award. It was raining, and I was drenched. He dried my hair with a towel and gave me one of his shirts to wear. What more could one ask for? Even Satyajit Ray mentioned in his book that he wanted to work with me. When I read that after his demise, it brought tears to my eyes. These are real awards.” Nana recalled with gratitudeNana Patekar breathed his last on October 8 at 5:20 am. He was rushed to a hospital after he was found unconscious at his residence in Goa. Reports suggest that CPR was performed on the actor for around 45 minutes; however, all efforts to revive him were futile.The Maharashtra government has announced that Nana Patekar will be accorded a funeral with full state honours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the veteran actor’s demise and acknowledged his significant contribution to Indian cinema.Actors across industries are mourning Nana Patekar’s death and expressing their deep condolences to his bereaved family. Known for his powerful performances and distinctive screen presence, Nana leaves behind a remarkable legacy spanning Hindi and Marathi cinema.See More: Nana Patekar passes away: PM Modi hails veteran star’s contribution to Hindi and Marathi cinema