He shared how Patekar gently corrected his self-conscious habit of fixing his hair out of nervousness, telling him, "Don't dress your hair like a hero—you are an actor!" Describing Patekar as a blunt yet profoundly honest mentor, critic, and friend who possessed one of the warmest smiles in Indian cinema, Shah Rukh expressed regret over not having more time for another cup of tea or a game of carrom with his late co-star. The passing of Nana Patekar, widely celebrated for his legendary roles across Hindi and Marathi cinema, leaves an irreplaceable void in the South Asian film industry.