Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar dies at 75 in Goa

Veteran actor Nana Patekar has died at the age of 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. His son, Malhar Patekar, confirmed the news to BBC Marathi on Thursday.

Patekar was found unconscious at his Goa home early Thursday morning by an assistant and a friend. According to BBC News, he was rushed to Manipal Hospital, where Dr. Shekhar Salkar reported that the medical team performed CPR for 45 minutes but could not revive him. He was reportedly dead by the time he reached the hospital, which was about 10 minutes from his home.

The actor’s funeral is scheduled to take place this evening with full state honors at his farmhouse in Pune, as announced by the Maharashtra government. Online Khabar noted that the sudden passing has left the film industry and political circles in mourning, with many figures sharing tributes on social media.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Patekar’s versatility and outspoken personality, stating on X that the actor's roles will remain etched in the memory of generations. Bollywood colleagues also expressed their grief, including Akshay Kumar, who described Patekar as a rare talent, and Mithun Chakraborty, who remembered him as one of his closest friends and a person who frequently helped others.

Other actors, including Rajinikanth, Pankaj Tripathi, and Annu Kapoor, expressed shock at the loss. Tripathi, who appeared with Patekar in the film 'Kaala,' called the death a deep personal loss and a major blow to the film industry. Patekar was a three-time National Film Award winner known for his distinctive raspy voice and intense acting style.

Background

Patekar made his film debut in 1978 with 'Gaman' and rose to national prominence after his role in the 1989 film 'Parinda.' He was celebrated for his work in both Hindi and Marathi cinema, particularly for portraying complex, volatile characters in films such as 'Krantiveer' and 'Prahaar.'