Panaji: Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar has died at the age of 75 after suffering cardiac arrest in Goa, ending a career that spanned nearly five decades across Hindi and Marathi cinema.
Patekar was found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, in the early hours of Thursday and was taken to Manipal Hospital. Doctors attempted to revive him for about 45 minutes, but he could not be saved. He was declared dead at around 5:20 am.
A doctor at Manipal Hospital said the immediate cause of death was cardiac arrest. The cause of the cardiac arrest was not immediately known, and a postmortem examination was being conducted.
Maharashtra has announced that Patekar's last rites will be conducted with full state honours. His final rites are scheduled to take place at his farmhouse in Donje near Pune.
The death has prompted tributes from political leaders and members of the Indian film industry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Patekar and recalled his distinctive talent and memorable performances.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also mourned the actor's death and highlighted his contribution to cinema and his work supporting farmers and communities affected by drought.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also expressed grief over Patekar's death and recalled his association with Goa and his social work.
Patekar was a prominent actor in Indian cinema and was known for his intense performances and distinctive dialogue delivery. He was born Vishwanath Patekar in Maharashtra and began his career in theatre before establishing himself in Marathi and Hindi films.
His film career began with Gaman in 1978. He later became known for films including Parinda, Krantiveer, Salaam Bombay, Agni Sakshi, Ab Tak Chhappan and Natsamrat. He also appeared in popular mainstream films such as Welcome, showing the range of his work across different genres.
His performances earned him three National Film Awards. He won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Parinda, the National Film Award for Best Actor for Krantiveer and another National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Agni Sakshi.
Patekar was also awarded the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contribution to the arts.
He maintained a strong connection with Marathi theatre and cinema throughout his career. His performance in Natsamrat, a Marathi film based on a celebrated play, was another major role in his career.
Beyond acting, Patekar was known for his social work. He was closely associated with the NAAM Foundation, which he helped establish with actor Makarand Anaspure in 2015. The organisation has worked with farmers and communities affected by drought and has supported water conservation, village development and families affected by farmer suicides.
Patekar worked across serious cinema, commercial Hindi films, Marathi productions and theatre during his career. His distinctive voice, direct acting style and ability to take on demanding roles made him a familiar figure to generations of Indian film audiences.
Patekar is survived by his estranged wife and son, Malhar Patekar. His death marks the loss of a prominent actor whose work reached audiences across Hindi and Marathi cinema.
As his family, colleagues and admirers prepare to bid him farewell in Pune, tributes continue to honour his long career in Indian cinema and his contribution to social causes.