Film producer, journalist, and humanitarian Pritish Nandy died on Wednesday (8 January) at the age of 73, his son confirmed to SCREEN.
Several celebrities including Kareena Kapoor, Anupam Kher, and Sanjay Dutt shared tributes for Nandy on social media.
Kareena Kapoor shared pictures featuring Nandy from the sets of her film 'Chameli' on her Instagram stories.
The film’s director Sudhir Mishra wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “What can one say about Pritish Nandy?One could say that he lived well,loved well, fought well,didn’t suffer fools,had a sharp biting sense of humour like no other.After the joke landed,after the laughter came the silence when you understood that he had just given u a-life lesson (sic).”
In a different post, he wrote, “Pritish Nandy changed my life . Only he could Hazaaron Khwahishen Aisi . He taught me so much . I am so sorry Pritish Da . I couldn’t come up with an idea for the sequel. (Sic)”
Nandy’s Pritish Nandy Communications had backed the 2003 political drama ‘Hazaaron Khwahishen Aisi’ and the 2004 release ‘Chameli’.
Nandy had also produced the Sanjay Dutt-starrers ‘Kaante’ helmed by Sanjay Gupta and ‘Shabd’ directed by Leena Yadav. Dutt shared a picture of Nandy on Instagram with the message, “A true creative genius and a kind soul, you will be missed sir. #PritishNandy.”
In a tribute to Nandy, actor Anupam Kher wrote on Instagram, “Deeply deeply saddened and shocked to know about the demise of one of my dearest and closest friends #PritishNandy! Amazing poet, writer, filmmaker and a brave and unique editor/journalist!”
Calling Nandy an “amazing poet, writer, filmmaker, and a brave editor/ journalist,” he further wrote, “He was my support system and a great source of strength in my initial days in Mumbai. We shared lots of things in common. He was also one of the most fearless people I had come across. Always Larger than life. I learnt so many things from him. Off-late we didn’t meet much. But there was a time when we were inseparable!”
Kher added, “I will never forget when he surprised me by putting me on the cover of Filmfare and more importantly #TheIllustratedWeelky. He was the true definition of yaaron ka yaar! I will miss you and our times together my friend. Rest well. #HeartBroken.”
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta shared, “Sad, sad news. My most personal work has lost one of its greatest patrons. You lived well Mr. Nandy. Will miss you terribly. Deepest condolences to the entire family.”
"I remember when I first met him in 2005 I had shared the idea for Omertà. Let's make it he said. When nobody had belief in me or my ideas Mr Pritish Nandy gave me the strength to dare, to dream and to tell stories that mattered to me - no matter what. He did not end up producing Omertà eventually but I did owe the film and a lot of my journey beginning from Shahid to him. We had the most delightful conversations, he was always candid with me and I always left the room very energized. So hard to believe that he is done. The past tense just isn't for men like him," Mehta wrote.
Actor Anil Kapoor posted a picture with Nandy with the note, “Shocked and heartbroken by the loss of my dear friend Pritish Nandy. A fearless editor, a brave soul, and a man of his word, he embodied integrity like no other.”
Under the banner Pritish Nandy Productions, Nandy had produced films like ‘Jhankaar Beats’, ‘Sur’, ‘Ankahee’, ‘Pyaar Ke Side Effects’, and ‘Shaadi Ke Side Effects’. The company also produced ‘Four More Shots Please’ and ‘Modern Love: Mumbai'.