Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar died Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Goa, according to a doctor at Manipal Hospital. He was 75.
Doctors performed CPR for 45 minutes but could not revive him, Dr. Shekhar Salkar, the hospital’s chief of oncology, told ANI. Patekar was declared dead at 5:20 a.m.
“A medico-legal case (MLC) has been registered, and a post-mortem will be conducted,” Salkar said.
Patekar was found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula and taken to the hospital. His son, Malhar Patekar, confirmed his death.
The Maharashtra government announced full state honors, with last rites scheduled Thursday, Oct. 8, at his farmhouse in Donje village near Pune.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Patekar’s performances and outspoken views in a tribute published by the Press Information Bureau.
“Few actors possessed the intensity, individuality and unmistakable presence that Shri Nana Patekar Ji had,” Modi wrote on X. “He brought remarkable versatility and creativity to every role and gave us characters that will be remembered for generations.”
Modi also praised the actor’s readiness to express his convictions.
“He was also admired for his frank and forthright views, never hesitating to express what he believed in,” he wrote.
“Shri Nana Patekar’s contribution to Hindi and Marathi cinema was immense. His passing leaves a deep void. My condolences to his family, friends and countless admirers. Om Shanti.”
Rahul Gandhi described the news as heartbreaking, saying Patekar’s acting and characters had left a lasting mark on Indian cinema and audiences.
Akshay Kumar, who worked with Patekar in Welcome and Housefull 5, recalled his voice, intensity and honesty as a performer.
“He was one of those rare actors who never needed to do too much to make you sit up and watch,” Kumar wrote on X.
Kumar said he would hold close the memories from their film sets. “Nana ji was truly one of a kind,” he wrote. “You will be missed more than words can say.”
Riteish Deshmukh recalled working with Patekar in Bluffmaster and Housefull 5 in an X tribute published by News9Live. Making a Marathi film together, he wrote, would remain an unfulfilled wish.
Patekar’s film career began with Gaman, released in 1978. Born in Maharashtra in 1951 and named Vishwanath, he became known to audiences as Nana during nearly five decades of work in Hindi and Marathi films.
Ten years after Gaman, he appeared in Mira Nair’s Oscar-nominated Salaam Bombay! Then came Parinda in 1989, for which he received the best supporting actor awards from both the National Film Awards and Filmfare.
He took on directing with Prahaar: The Final Attack in 1991, also appearing in the film.
During the next few years, his films included Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Angaar and Tirangaa. Filmfare recognized his performance in Angaar with its best villain award.
In 1994, Krantiveer won him best actor honors at both the National Film Awards and Filmfare. Two years later, he received another National Film Award for supporting actor for Agni Sakshi. He also appeared in Khamoshi: The Musical that year.
The three National Film Awards recognized his work in Parinda, Krantiveer and Agni Sakshi. His other honors included four Filmfare Awards, two Maharashtra State Film Awards and the Padma Shri, awarded in 2013.
His work continued into the 2000s with Shakti: The Power and Ab Tak Chhappan. Apaharan brought a second Filmfare award for best villain, followed by a role in Taxi No. 9211.
In Welcome and its sequel, Welcome Back, Patekar played Uday Shetty, a gangster in a comedy setting. Between those films, he appeared as a politician in Raajneeti.
For the Marathi film Natsamrat in 2016, he took the part of a retired stage actor. The performance won him the Filmfare Award Marathi for best actor.
His final release was Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo.
