PANAJI, Oct. 8
Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar, whose commanding screen presence and distinctive dialogue delivery made him one of Hindi cinema’s most recognisable performers, died in Goa on Thursday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 75.
Patekar was found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula and rushed to Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for approximately 45 minutes. He was declared dead at 5.20 am.
Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of Oncology at Manipal Hospital, said medical personnel had made sustained efforts to resuscitate the actor but were unsuccessful. A medico-legal case has been registered, and a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted.
His son, Malhar Patekar, who was in Pune, left for Goa after receiving news of his father’s death.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over Patekar’s death, remembering him for the intensity and unmistakable presence he brought to his performances.
Tributes also came from members of the film industry, including actors and filmmakers who had worked with him or admired his contribution to Indian cinema.
Patekar’s death comes just four days after his last reported public appearance at an event in Goa, where he spoke about mortality and the importance of living according to one’s convictions.
On October 4, the actor attended the installation ceremony of Samraat Club International at Taj Cidade de Goa in Dona Paula. During his address, he remembered former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and praised his approach to public life.
Speaking in Marathi, Patekar reflected on the uncertainty of life, telling the gathering that everyone must eventually confront death and questioning whether people manage to accomplish what they truly want during their lifetime.
His remarks have attracted renewed attention following his sudden death.
Born Vishwanath Patekar on January 1, 1951, in Maharashtra, he built a career spanning nearly five decades across Hindi and Marathi cinema, theatre and filmmaking.
He made his Hindi film debut in Gaman in 1978 but gained wider recognition through Salaam Bombay! and Parinda. His portrayal of the gangster Anna Seth in Parinda earned him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and established his reputation for intense, psychologically complex characters.
Unlike many mainstream actors of his generation, Patekar developed a distinctive acting style built around controlled expressions, sharp changes in tone and an ability to move between restrained dialogue and explosive emotion.
His performance in Krantiveer became one of the defining roles of his career, earning him the National Film Award for Best Actor. The film’s confrontational dialogue and his portrayal of a man challenging corruption and injustice became closely associated with his public image.
He subsequently appeared in a wide range of films, including Tirangaa, Angaar, Agni Sakshi, Khamoshi: The Musical, Yeshwant, Ab Tak Chhappan, Apaharan and Raajneeti.
His portrayal of an encounter specialist in Ab Tak Chhappan was particularly notable for its understated treatment of a morally complicated police officer. The performance showed his ability to carry a film without relying on conventional heroic presentation.
Patekar also demonstrated considerable versatility in comedy.
His portrayal of the gangster Uday Shetty in the 2007 film Welcome introduced him to a younger generation of viewers. His exchanges with Anil Kapoor became among the film’s most memorable sequences, and the character later acquired a substantial following through internet memes and social media.
He directed Prahaar: The Final Attack in 1991, a film that explored military discipline, personal responsibility and violence in civilian life.
Patekar remained closely associated with Marathi theatre and cinema throughout his career, continuing to work in regional productions even after achieving national recognition.
He won three National Film Awards and received the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contribution to Indian cinema and the arts.
Beyond acting, Patekar was involved in charitable work, particularly initiatives supporting farmers and families affected by agricultural distress. He was also associated with assistance for families affected by cross-border shelling during Operation Sindoor.
His most recent film appearance was in O’Romeo, alongside Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, Avinash Tiwary and Disha Patani.
Prime Minister Modi described Patekar’s contribution to Hindi and Marathi cinema as immense and offered condolences to his family and admirers. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant remembered him as a close friend and social worker, while Union Minister Nitin Gadkari paid tribute to his acting career and work with the Naam Foundation, particularly its support for farmers and rural communities.
Patekar belonged to a generation of actors who built their reputations through character-driven performances rather than conventional stardom. His career moved between crime dramas, political films, social commentary and popular comedy, with an unusually recognisable screen persona connecting these different genres.
His death brings to a close a career that left a lasting impression on both Hindi and Marathi cinema, from the intensity of Parinda and Krantiveer to the emotional depth of Natsamrat and the enduring popularity of Welcome.
