July 26 is observed as Kargil Vijay Divas in India, to observe India's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War for ousting Pakistani Forces. On this special day, we will take a trip down memory lane, when a Bollywood star served the country during the Kargil War. This actor was part of an elite force, the Quick Reaction Team, and spent over two weeks living alongside soldiers during the Kargil War.
The actor who served the Indian Army during the Kargil War is...
Nana Patekar, who earned praises for his compelling portrayal of Major Pratap Chauhan in the 1991 film Prahaar, had fought alongside the Indian Army during the 1999 Kargil War, spending over two weeks, and moving from post to post. Patekar was an inspiring figure for the troops, acting as an “unofficial cheerleader of sorts."
Nana Patekar on serving the Indian Army
Recently, in an interview with Lallantop, Nana recalled his days at the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan, and said, "Eventually I was a member of the Quick Reaction Team. It is one of the most elite forces. Itna sa toh kuch hum kar sakte hai desh ke liye (At least we can do this for the country)."
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Nana Patekar calls soldiers as the real heroes of the country
In various instances, Nana Patekar voiced his strong opinion on the armed forces, and soldiers being the real heroes of the country. He advised people not to worship actors, as the soldiers who fight for them, and take a bullet for the security of the country are the real heroes, "Our greatest weapon is not the Bofors, nor the AK, but our jawans,” he said in an interview.
In 2016, when the ban was imposed on Pakistani artists working in Bollywood, Nana supported the decision, saying, "First stands my country, I don't know anyone beyond my country neither would I want to know. An artist is very small in front of the country."
He further added, "I was in the army and I have spent two and half years there. So I know who our biggest heroes are. No one can be a bigger hero than our army men. Our original heroes are our jawans." On the work front, Nana was last seen in The Vaccine War.
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