Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar has died at the age of 75 after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa. The actor was found unconscious at his home and was taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him for around 45 minutes, according to reports citing Indian news agency ANI and hospital sources.
Dr Shekhar Salkar, head of the oncology department at Manipal Hospital, was quoted as saying that medical staff continuously performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after Patekar was brought to the hospital. Despite the efforts, he did not respond to treatment. A medico-legal case (MLC) has been registered, while an autopsy is expected to be carried out to establish the exact cause of death.
Several Indian media outlets reported that Patekar was declared dead at around 5.20am on Thursday. Reports also said that his son, Malhar Patekar, confirmed the actor’s death.
The circumstances surrounding his final hours were reported slightly differently by various outlets. Some reports stated that he suffered a cardiac arrest at his residence before being taken to hospital, while others said he was found unconscious at his home in Dona Paula and was subsequently rushed for emergency medical treatment.
Patekar’s death marks the end of a career that stretched across several decades and encompassed both Hindi and Marathi cinema. He was widely recognised for his powerful performances, distinctive dialogue delivery and ability to portray characters with emotional intensity. His acting style often relied on a combination of controlled expression and forceful dialogue, qualities that helped establish him as one of India’s prominent character actors.
Born Vishwanath Patekar on 1 January 1951 in Maharashtra, he became known professionally as Nana Patekar. Over the course of his career, he appeared in numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, building a reputation for taking on a wide variety of roles.
Among his notable films were Parinda, Krantiveer, Ab Tak Chhappan, Agni Sakshi and Welcome. His work covered serious dramas, crime films and mainstream entertainers, allowing him to connect with audiences across different generations.
Patekar’s contribution to Indian cinema received major national recognition. He won the National Film Award three times during his career, underlining his standing as a highly regarded performer. In 2013, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri for his contribution to the arts.
His career was significant not only because of its longevity but also because of the range of characters he portrayed. From intense and morally complex roles to lighter performances in popular commercial films, Patekar demonstrated considerable versatility. His distinctive voice and delivery also became closely associated with his screen identity.
For audiences in both Hindi and Marathi-speaking regions, Patekar remained a familiar and influential presence on screen for decades. His performances in films such as Parinda and Krantiveer particularly strengthened his reputation as an actor capable of carrying demanding dramatic roles.
His death at 75 brings an end to the career of a performer whose work had a lasting presence in Indian cinema. Tributes are expected from fellow actors, filmmakers and audiences who followed his work across generations.
