Nana Patekar Dies at 75 After Cardiac Arrest in Goa

 

Veteran Bollywood and Marathi cinema actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar has died at the age of 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa on Thursday, October 8, 2026. His death was confirmed by his son, Malhar Patekar, as well as medical officials at Manipal Hospital in Goa.

According to hospital officials, Patekar was found unresponsive at his residence in the early hours of Thursday. Reports said he had informed a friend around 2:30 a.m. that he was feeling unwell. The friend later reached his home at around 4 a.m., where Patekar was reportedly in distress and gradually became unconscious.

An emergency medical team was called to the residence, where doctors and medical personnel began CPR and cardiac resuscitation efforts. He was subsequently transported to Manipal Hospital, with resuscitation efforts continuing during the transfer.

Doctors continued attempts to revive him for approximately 45 minutes, but he did not respond to treatment. Hospital officials said he was declared dead at around 5:20 a.m.

Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital said the immediate medical finding was cardiac arrest, although the precise underlying cause was not known at the time. As Patekar was brought to the hospital unresponsive, authorities registered the case as medico-legal and his body was taken to Goa Medical College for a post-mortem examination.

A Career Spanning Nearly Five Decades

Born Vishwanath Patekar in Maharashtra in 1951, Nana Patekar began his artistic journey in Marathi theatre before establishing himself as one of India's most distinctive screen performers.

He made his film debut with Gaman in 1978 and gradually gained recognition through Hindi and Marathi cinema. His breakthrough came with films such as Salaam Bombay! and Parinda, in which his intense performance established him as a formidable actor.

Patekar subsequently delivered acclaimed performances in a wide range of films, including Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Khamoshi: The Musical, Ab Tak Chhappan, Apaharan, Raajneeti and Natsamrat.

He was equally capable of comedy and mainstream entertainment. His portrayal of Uday Shetty in the 2007 comedy Welcome introduced his distinctive acting style to a new generation of audiences and became one of his most widely remembered comic performances.

National Recognition and Major Honours

Throughout his career, Patekar received several major awards for his performances. He won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Parinda, followed by the National Film Award for Best Actor for Krantiveer. He later won another National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Agni Sakshi.

In 2013, he was honoured with the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards, for his contribution to the arts and cinema.

Patekar was also a filmmaker. He made his directorial debut with Prahaar: The Final Attack in 1991, a military drama in which he also played the lead role. His career consequently extended beyond acting into direction and writing.

Tributes Pour In

News of Patekar's death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across India's film industry and public life.

Actor Akshay Kumar, who worked with Patekar in several films including Welcome, remembered him as an actor whose intensity, voice and individuality made him unique. Other actors and public figures also expressed grief over the loss of the veteran performer.

Maharashtra authorities also announced that Patekar would receive a state funeral, recognising his contribution to Marathi theatre and Hindi and Marathi cinema.

Legacy Beyond Cinema

Patekar's influence extended beyond the film industry. He was involved in social initiatives and worked with drought-affected communities and farmers through the Naam Foundation, which he established with actor Makarand Anaspure in 2015.

Known for his powerful dialogue delivery, distinctive voice and ability to portray both intense dramatic characters and comic roles, Patekar remained one of Indian cinema's most recognisable performers for decades.

His passing marks the end of a remarkable career spanning nearly five decades, leaving behind a body of work across theatre, Hindi cinema and Marathi cinema that continues to influence audiences and performers.

Nana Patekar is survived by his wife, from whom he was separated, and his son, Malhar Patekar. His final rites are expected to be held in Pune.