Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar, a celebrated figure in Marathi and Hindi cinema, passed away early Thursday morning at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa. He was 75. According to officials at Manipal Hospital, the actor was found unconscious at his home and was rushed to the facility, where he was declared brought dead. Dr. Shekhar Salkar, who attended to the actor, stated that emergency teams attempted cardiac massage for nearly an hour, but were unable to revive him. A postmortem is being conducted at the Goa Medical College to confirm the cause of death, which is suspected to be a cardiac arrest.
Born Vishwanath Patekar in 1951, the actor built a career defined by his intense screen presence, distinctive dialogue delivery, and versatility. His filmography spanned decades, featuring critically acclaimed performances in movies such as 'Krantiveer', 'Parinda', 'Ab Tak Chhappan', 'Natsamrat', and the 'Welcome' franchise. Beyond his work in cinema, Patekar was a respected theatre artist and was known for his commitment to social causes. He was a recipient of the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, and won three National Film Awards.
Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar announced that the actor will be accorded a state funeral in recognition of his significant contributions to the arts. Tributes have poured in from across the country, with President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan leading the condolences. The President noted that Patekar’s performances left a "lasting imprint" on audiences, while the Vice President praised his "remarkable depth, sensitivity and authenticity."
Colleagues and friends expressed deep shock at the news. Superstar Rajinikanth, who worked with Patekar in the 2018 film 'Kaala', described him as a "dear friend," while actor Anupam Kher shared an emotional tribute, recalling Patekar’s unpretentious nature and warmth. Other prominent figures, including Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Sunny Deol, Farhan Akhtar, and Akshay Kumar, also paid their respects, highlighting his fearless personality and dedication to his craft.
In a poignant turn of events, Patekar had made one of his final public appearances just days earlier at a Samraat Club International event in Dona Paula on October 4. Addressing the audience, he reflected on the nature of life, stating, "We all have to go someday. I don't know whether I will be here tomorrow."
