Nana Patekar Dies at 75: Veteran Actor Found Unresponsive at Goa Home

Veteran actor Nana Patekar died at the age of 75 on Thursday, October 8

After being found unresponsive at his Goa residence. According to ANI, the actor suffered a cardiac arrest and was declared dead at Manipal Hospital at around 5:20 am.

According to details shared by his son, Malhar Patekar, Nana complained of severe chest pain during the early hours of the morning. A medical team was called to his flat after he began feeling unwell. When the team arrived, the actor was unresponsive and attempts were made to revive him before he was taken to the hospital.

Nana was subsequently brought to Manipal Hospital, where doctors continued resuscitation efforts for around 45 minutes. Despite the medical team’s efforts, he could not be revived.

As Nana was not a registered patient at the hospital, the medical team informed the police as required under procedure. His body was later taken to Goa Medical College for a post-mortem examination before being handed over to the family.

Patekar’s last rites will reportedly be performed at his farmhouse in Pune, in accordance with his wishes. Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar also announced that the state government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, would accord the actor a state funeral with full honours in recognition of his contribution to Marathi theatre and Hindi and Marathi cinema.

Nana Patekar’s final hours

Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of Oncology at Manipal Hospital, provided details about the actor’s final hours.

According to him, Patekar reached the hospital in an unresponsive condition and could not be revived despite prolonged resuscitation efforts. Doctors administered cardiac massage for approximately 45 minutes to an hour.

The actor had reportedly contacted someone around 2:30 am and sent a message to a friend saying that he was unwell. The friend did not immediately see the message because it was nighttime, but later called him and went to Patekar’s residence at around 4 am.

By then, Patekar was reportedly sweating and gradually losing consciousness. His caretaker subsequently contacted the hospital, following which an emergency team travelled to the actor’s residence in an ambulance and began resuscitation efforts.

Nana Patekar’s final public appearance

Patekar’s final public appearance came on October 4 at the Samraat Club International installation ceremony in Dona Paula, Goa, just four days before his death.

During the event, the veteran actor spoke about former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, whom he remembered as a close friend. He praised Parrikar’s contribution to Goa and reflected on how much an individual can accomplish within a limited lifetime.

Patekar also spoke candidly about mortality and the importance of making the most of one’s life.

“We all have to go someday. I don’t know whether I will be here tomorrow or not,” he said at the event. He added that before that inevitable moment arrives, everyone should ask themselves whether they are able to accomplish what they truly want to do.

A career spanning Hindi and Marathi cinema

Nana Patekar’s career stretched across more than four decades and encompassed Hindi and Marathi cinema, theatre and filmmaking.

After studying at Mumbai’s Sir J.J. School of Art, Patekar entered theatre before making his Hindi film debut with Gaman in 1978. His early work included films such as Aaj Ki Awaaz, Pratighaat, Mohre and Trishagni.

His breakthrough came with Ankush in 1986, while Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Parinda in 1989 established him as one of the most distinctive performers of his generation. His portrayal of the volatile gangster Anna earned him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor as well as a Filmfare Award.

Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi and the 1990s

The 1990s cemented Patekar’s reputation as an actor capable of playing intense and complex characters.

He won the Filmfare Award for Best Villain for Angaar in 1992 before appearing in Tirangaa the following year. His performance as Pratap Narayan Tilak in Krantiveer (1994) earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

He followed that success with Agni Sakshi in 1996, winning another National Film Award, this time for Best Supporting Actor. His work in films such as Khamoshi: The Musical further demonstrated his range beyond the intense characters with which he had become associated.

• From Ab Tak Chhappan to Welcome
• Patekar remained a major presence in Hindi cinema during the 2000s.

In Ab Tak Chhappan (2004), he played police officer Sadhu Agashe, delivering one of his most acclaimed performances of the decade. His portrayal of a morally complex politician in Apaharan (2005) earned him another Filmfare Award for Best Villain.

He later displayed a different side of his acting in the comedy Welcome (2007), where his portrayal of gangster Uday Shetty became hugely popular. He returned to the character in Welcome Back in 2015.

His other notable work included Raajneeti (2010), in which he returned to the political-drama genre.

Natsamrat and Marathi cinema

Despite becoming a major Hindi film star, Patekar maintained a strong connection with Marathi cinema.

One of his most celebrated later performances came in Natsamrat (2016), in which he portrayed a retired theatre actor confronting ageing, family relationships and personal loss. The role earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor in the Marathi category.

His career consistently moved between mainstream commercial cinema and projects centred on challenging performances.

• His work in Tamil cinema
• Patekar also ventured beyond Hindi and Marathi films.

He appeared in Bharathiraja’s Bommalattam and later featured in Rajinikanth’s Kaala (2018). In the latter, he played Harinath Desai, a political antagonist who comes into conflict with Rajinikanth’s titular character.

Filmmaker, social worker and Territorial Army officer

Patekar’s contributions extended beyond acting. He made his directorial debut with Prahaar: The Final Attack in 1991, a film inspired by military life and the training of soldiers. He also played the lead role in the film.

His association with social causes was another important part of his public life. In 2015, Patekar and fellow Marathi actor Makarand Anaspure founded the Naam Foundation, which works with communities affected by issues such as drought and farmer distress in Maharashtra.

Patekar was also associated with the Territorial Army and was awarded the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

He continued to remain active in cinema well into his seventies, with recent credits including Vanvaas (2024), Housefull 5 (2025), O’ Romeo and Subedaar in 2026.

Across theatre, Hindi and Marathi cinema, filmmaking and social work, Nana Patekar built a career defined by versatility, intensity and an unmistakable screen presence.