Mumbai: Veteran actor Nana Patekar, one of the most prominent performers in Hindi and Marathi cinema, died at the age of 75 on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa.
Patekar was found unconscious at his residence and was taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him for about 45 minutes. He was declared dead at around 5:20 a.m., according to hospital sources. His son, Malhar Patekar, confirmed his death.
Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, said the actor was brought to the hospital after medical teams initiated CPR. A medico-legal case was registered, and a post-mortem examination is being conducted as part of the formal procedures.
Born Vishwanath Patekar on January 1, 1951, in Maharashtra, Nana Patekar began his career in Marathi theatre before moving into films. He made his Hindi film debut with Gaman in 1978 and established himself through performances marked by an intense screen presence and distinctive dialogue delivery.
His breakthrough came with films including Parinda and Salaam Bombay!. He subsequently delivered notable performances in Angaar, Tirangaa, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Khamoshi: The Musical, Yeshwant, Ab Tak Chhappan, Apaharan and Raajneeti.
नाना पाटेकर जी को भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि! https://t.co/RHzo8gRfow
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 8, 2026
Deeply saddened by the passing of veteran actor Shri Nana Patekar. Through his powerful and deeply evocative performances, he brought to life a wide range of human experiences. He portrayed characters that left a lasting imprint on the hearts and minds of people. His commitment to social service reflected his concern for the underprivileged. His passing is a great loss to Indian cinema. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and admirers.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 8, 2026
Patekar also worked extensively in Marathi cinema and theatre and ventured into filmmaking with Prahaar: The Final Attack in 1991, which he directed and starred in.
Although widely associated with serious and intense roles, Patekar also demonstrated his comic range in the Welcome franchise, where his portrayal of Uday Shetty became one of his most widely recognised mainstream performances.
His contribution to Indian cinema was recognised with three National Film Awards and the Padma Shri in 2013. His career spanned more than four decades across Hindi and Marathi cinema.
Beyond cinema, Patekar was involved in social initiatives, particularly efforts supporting farmers and families affected by agrarian distress. He co-founded the Naam Foundation with actor Makarand Anaspure, which has worked on issues including farmer welfare and rural development.
Patekar largely maintained a private personal life despite his long career in the public eye. His death marks the end of a career defined by a wide range of roles across theatre, Hindi cinema and Marathi cinema.
