Veteran actor Nana Patekar once again proved why punctuality and professionalism remain non-negotiable for him. On Wednesday afternoon, the 75-year-old actor quietly walked out of the trailer launch event of his upcoming film O Romeo after waiting nearly an hour for the programme to begin.
The incident took place at a multiplex in Mumbai, where the event was scheduled to start at noon. Nana Patekar arrived on time, as planned, but by 1 pm, the launch had still not commenced due to the absence of several co-stars.
A video from the venue has since gone viral on social media. In the clip, Nana Patekar can be seen exiting the auditorium and heading towards the lift as event organisers try to persuade him to stay back. Calm but firm, the actor points to his watch, clearly indicating his frustration over the prolonged delay, and declines all requests to return.
The moment resonated strongly with fans online, many of whom praised the actor for standing by his principles rather than conforming to Bollywood’s often flexible timelines.
Later, filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj confirmed that Nana Patekar was visibly upset over being made to wait. Quoting the actor, Bhardwaj said, 'Ek ghanta mujhe wait karwaya, main jaa raha hoon,' highlighting the straightforward reason behind his early exit.
Despite the incident, Bhardwaj maintained a respectful tone while speaking about the senior actor, acknowledging both his strong personality and his enduring contribution to cinema.
O Romeo boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring some of the biggest and most versatile names in the industry. The film stars Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, Nana Patekar, Avinash Tiwary, Disha Patani, Farida Jalal, Aruna Irani and Vikrant Massey, with Tamannaah Bhatia appearing in a special role.
According to reports, Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, who play key roles in the film, arrived at the venue around 1.30 pm, well after the scheduled start time of the event.
Vishal Bhardwaj also used the occasion to describe Nana Patekar’s personality, calling him outspoken, honest and deeply engaging. He expressed regret over the delay and said he still wanted to publicly acknowledge the veteran actor, even though he had already left the venue.
The incident has sparked conversations across social media about discipline, respect for time and changing work cultures in the film industry. For many, Nana Patekar’s quiet walkout was not an act of anger, but a powerful reminder that professionalism transcends stardom.
As anticipation around O Romeo continues to build, this unexpected moment has added a real-life layer of drama to the film’s promotional journey, keeping the spotlight firmly on Nana Patekar and his uncompromising values.
