Nana Patekar Birthday Special: Despite being married, when Housefull 5 actor’s alleged affair with Manisha Koirala made headlines before dating another actress, she is…

On Nana Patekar’s birthday, a throwback to the time when the actor’s alleged relationship with Manisha Koirala grabbed attention before he was linked to another actress.

Today, as veteran actor Nana Patekar celebrates his 74th birthday, fans remember not just his contributions to Indian cinema but also past moments from his personal life that once drew intense media attention. Among these was his widely discussed relationship with actress Manisha Koirala and the dramatic end of their bond, which became one of the most talked-about stories in Bollywood at the time.

How did it all begin?

The spark between Nana and Manisha reportedly started in 1996 while filming Agni Sakshi. Manisha, who had just ended a previous relationship, found comfort in Nana’s presence, and the two began seeing each other away from the cameras. Their chemistry was intense, both on and off screen, and those close to them noted how quickly the private romance bloomed into something serious.

Nana had been legally married to Neelkanti since 1978, but the couple had been living separately for many years. He described their relationship as one of mutual respect rather than emotional closeness, and their separation was often explained as due to “irreconcilable differences.”

The rumours that made headlines

After Agni Sakshi, the pair reunited for Khamoshi: The Musical, and soon rumors about their off-screen relationship started circulating widely. Reporters and neighbours noted Nana’s frequent visits to Manisha’s home. When asked about this, Nana chose a diplomatic response, saying she “often visited my mother and son and they received her with affection.”

However, the relationship was far from smooth. Both actors were known for passionate personalities, and this intensity reportedly led to emotional friction. Nana’s possessiveness over Manisha’s wardrobe choices and on-screen roles began to strain their bond, eventually pushing them toward separation.

Another actress enters the picture

Amid the growing tensions, Nana’s closeness with another actress, Ayesha Jhulka, also garnered attention. While some reports from the time suggested their bond caused friction between Nana and Manisha, Ayesha has later clarified that there was no romantic involvement in the way tabloids claimed. She described their connection as a friendly working relationship and dismissed the idea that she was responsible for Manisha and Nana’s breakup.

The end of everything

Meanwhile, Manisha eventually moved on in her personal life, dating several people and later marrying, although that marriage too ended in divorce. Nana’s life also took turns, and after many years, he returned to live with his wife Neelkanti, finding a sense of peace later in life.

More about Nana Patekar

In recent years, Nana Patekar has been selective about his film choices. His last on-screen appearance was in the multi starrer comedy franchise Housefull 5, where he shared screen space with Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan, and other stars.