Nana Patekar Dies at 75
The veteran actor died in Goa after a cardiac arrest, leaving behind a celebrated career spanning Hindi and Marathi cinema, theatre and filmmaking.
Veteran actor Nana Patekar died at the age of 75 in Goa on Thursday, October 8, after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula and was taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him.
According to Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital, medical teams performed CPR for around 45 minutes, but Patekar could not be revived. A medico-legal case has been registered and a post-mortem examination is being conducted to establish the exact cause of death.
Patekar, born Vishwanath Patekar in Maharashtra in 1951, built a career spanning several decades across Marathi theatre, Hindi and Marathi cinema. He made his Hindi film debut with Gaman in 1978 and went on to become known for his intense screen presence, powerful dialogue delivery and portrayals of complex characters.
Among his best-known films were Parinda, Prahaar: The Final Attack, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Khamoshi: The Musical, Ab Tak Chhappan, Apaharan, Raajneeti and Natsamrat. His comic role as Uday Shetty in the Welcome franchise also introduced his distinctive performance style to a wider younger audience.
Patekar was a recipient of three National Film Awards and several other honours. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contribution to the arts. He also directed Prahaar: The Final Attack and remained associated with theatre and social initiatives alongside his acting career.
The news prompted an immediate wave of tributes from across the film industry. Actors including Anupam Kher, Rajinikanth, Paresh Rawal and Manoj Bajpayee remembered Patekar for his intensity, authenticity and influence on generations of performers. Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma also expressed disbelief at the actor’s sudden death.
Maharashtra Culture Minister Ashish Shelar announced that Patekar would be accorded a state funeral in recognition of his contribution to Marathi theatre and Marathi and Hindi cinema. His last rites are scheduled to be performed at his farmhouse in Pune, where his mortal remains are to be brought for the final rites.
Nana Patekar's death marks the loss of one of Indian cinema's distinctive performers, whose career moved between serious drama, action, comedy, theatre and filmmaking. His work across multiple generations established a lasting presence in both mainstream and critically acclaimed Indian cinema.