Veteran actor Nana Patekar, one of Indian cinema's most celebrated performers, passed away in Goa on Thursday, October 8. He was 75.
Death Confirmed by Manipal Hospital
An official confirmation from Manipal Hospital, Goa, stated that the actor was found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula and was rushed to the hospital. He was reportedly declared dead on arrival.
According to Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, medical teams performed CPR for approximately 45 minutes. The actor was declared dead at 5:20 am. While the current cause of death is reported to be a cardiac arrest, an official post-mortem report establishing the cause of death is awaited. A medico-legal case has been registered in this connection.
Final Rites at Pune Farmhouse with State Honours
The last rites of the veteran actor will be performed at his farmhouse in Donaje, near Khadakwasla in Pune district, on Thursday evening. According to Ganesh Thorat, CEO of Patekar's Naam Foundation, the actor's mortal remains will be brought to Pune from Goa, expected to arrive around 6 pm.
The final rites are likely to be held between 9 pm and 10 pm and will be conducted with state honours. With political leaders, film personalities, friends, and fans expected to attend, Pune city and rural police are tightening security and preparing traffic arrangements. A dedicated route for VIP vehicles and possible diversions are being planned around the Sinhagad Road corridor to manage the expected crowd.
A Career Spanning Four Decades
Born Vishwanath Patekar in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra's Raigad district, Nana Patekar made his Hindi film debut with 'Gaman' in 1978. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he became known for his powerful performances and distinctive screen presence across Hindi and Marathi cinema.
His notable films include 'Parinda', 'Prahaar: The Final Attack', 'Krantiveer', 'Agni Sakshi', 'Khamoshi: The Musical', 'Ab Tak Chhappan', 'Apaharan', 'Raajneeti', 'Natsamrat', and 'Welcome'. He was a recipient of three National Film Awards and was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contribution to cinema and the arts.
Bollywood Mourns the Loss
Salman Khan took to Instagram to mourn the demise of the Hindi cinema legend. Sharing a picture of the late actor, he wrote, "Nanaaaaaaaa, Rest in peace bhau..."
Shah Rukh Khan paid an emotional tribute, recalling Nana's memorable advice: "Hero banne ke chakar mein actor mat khona." He wrote, "When I first met him, out of awe and awkwardness I fiddled with my hair. He slapped my hand away and said 'hero ki tarah Baal mat bana...tu actor hai'! He didn't flatter you. He didn't tell you what you wanted to hear. He told you what you needed to hear. That was Nana. Straightforward. Rough, honest and had the most beautiful smile."
Rajinikanth expressed shock, saying, "I can't believe my dear friend Nanaji is no longer with us. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace." The two worked together in the 2018 film 'Kaala'.
Ajay Devgn remembered Nana's powerful presence, writing on X: "Not many made us happy, sad and feel anger quite the way Nana did. His presence was powerful, his performances unforgettable, and his absence will now be deeply felt. Rest well, Nana…Om Shanti."
Kamal Haasan called him "a force of nature," adding, "An extraordinary artist and an even greater human being. Beyond the screen, his work helping farmers in Maharashtra and his volunteer service during the Kargil War spoke volumes about his deep sense of duty."
Rohit Shetty penned an emotional note recalling their bond: "Dear Dada, I will miss your late-night calls... I will never forget when you did a cameo in Golmaal Again. I asked you, 'Dada, aapki fees?' And you looked at me and said, 'Ch****ya, tujhse paise lunga? Ek anathashram ka number deta hoon, wahan donate kar de.' That was you Dada. Straight. Unfiltered. Generous."
Anupam Kher shared, "Actually, knowing him, I can almost hear him dismissing the very idea of a tribute: 'अरे, तो क्या हो गया? मर गया तो कौन-सी बड़ी बात है? सभी मरते हैं!' That was Nana. Direct, unpretentious."
Manoj Bajpayee remembered how Nana's journey inspired aspiring actors: "For so many of us who came to Mumbai hoping to find a place in films, his journey gave us hope. He made you believe that your craft, your individuality and being true to who you are could be enough to make your own place."
Javed Akhtar called him "an unusual actor," writing, "Today we have lost not only an unusual and unique actor but a true Indian rooted in our motherland always with Gus to call a spade a spade."
Other tributes poured in from Hema Malini, Chiranjeevi, Jr NTR, Allu Arjun, Hrithik Roshan, Vicky Kaushal, Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Randeep Hooda, Kapil Sharma, AR Rahman, Shatrughan Sinha, and many more.
President and Vice President Express Grief
President Droupadi Murmu said, "Deeply saddened by the passing of veteran actor Shri Nana Patekar. Through his powerful and deeply evocative performances, he brought to life a wide range of human experiences. His commitment to social service reflected his concern for the underprivileged."
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan called him "a versatile and immensely talented artist" whose "invaluable contribution to Indian cinema will always be remembered."
A Legacy Beyond Cinema
Nana Patekar's contribution went far beyond his acting career. Through the NAAM Foundation, he worked for families of farmers who died by suicide in Maharashtra's Marathwada region. One of his key initiatives provided 'Aarogya cards' to nearly 500 farmers' wives, helping them access free medical treatment at MGM Hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for nearly five years. The initiative also extended to free education for children from affected families.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also expressed grief over the actor's demise, recalling his contribution to theatre, Hindi cinema, and Marathi cinema.
Nana Patekar is survived by his family and millions of fans whose lives he touched through his unforgettable performances.
