Nana Patekar, Iconic Indian Actor, Dies at 75

Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar has died at 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Goa. He was found unconscious early on Thursday and taken to hospital, where doctors attempted CPR for about 45 minutes but could not revive him. His body was later flown to Pune, where he was cremated with full state honours. Family, colleagues and political leaders paid tribute, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Anupam Kher, Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar, who remembered Patekar as a versatile performer, mentor and friend. Born in Maharashtra in 1951, Patekar began his career in theatre before making his film debut in Gaman in 1978. His breakthrough came with Parinda (1989), in which he played the gangster Anna and won a National Film Award and a Filmfare Award. Across a long career, he became known for intense performances and a distinctive rasping voice, appearing in films including Prahaar, Tirangaa, Krantiveer, Khamoshi and Rajneeti. He also directed and wrote, and remained active in Marathi and Hindi theatre. His three National Film Awards were for Parinda, Krantiveer and Agni Sakshi. Patekar was outspoken about politics and government policy, particularly on issues affecting farmers. In 2015, he and actor Makarand Anaspure founded the Naam Foundation, which works on farmer welfare and water conservation in Maharashtra. His career also involved controversy: actor Tanushree Dutta accused him of sexual harassment over an alleged incident on a film set, allegations he denied. In 2019, police said they had found insufficient evidence and he was cleared of the charges.

Indian actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar, known for his intense performances and a career spanning nearly five decades, died Thursday at his home in Goa. He was 75. The Press Trust of India reported that he died of a suspected cardiac arrest, citing a doctor at the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Patekar was born Vishawanath Patekar in 1951 in Maharashtra, in western India, and worked in both Hindi- and Marathi-language cinema. His film debut was in the 1978 Hindi film Gaman. He later earned acclaim for roles in Parinda and Krantiveer, and gained wider international recognition for his appearance in Mira Nair’s 1988 film Salaam Bombay!, which was nominated for an Academy Award. During his career, Patekar won three National Film Awards, India’s highest film honours, and received the Padma Shri, one of the country’s highest civilian honours. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned his death, praising Patekar’s “intensity, individuality and unmistakable presence.” In a message on X, Modi also commended his versatility and creativity, saying the characters he portrayed would be remembered for generations. Patekar is survived by his wife and a son.

Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar has died aged 75, according to a report by The National. Patekar, whose career spanned Hindi and Marathi cinema, was found unresponsive at his home in Goa. Hospital sources told Indian broadcaster NDTV that doctors tried to revive him. Dr Shekhar Salkar, chief of oncology at Manipal Hospital, told news agency ANI that CPR was performed for 45 minutes. Patekar was pronounced dead at 5.20am. At the time of publication, his family had not released a statement. Known for his commanding screen presence and distinctive dialogue delivery, Patekar played a broad range of characters, including volatile, morally complex figures and comic roles. He made his film debut in Gaman in 1978 and gained wider recognition in Mira Nair’s Oscar-nominated Salaam Bombay!, playing Baba, a drug dealer and pimp in a drama about street children in Bombay. His acclaimed performances included a ruthless crime lord in Parinda (1989) and a gambler who becomes an anti-corruption crusader in Krantiveer (1994). A speech in Krantiveer advocating Hindu-Muslim unity is regarded as one of Hindi cinema’s memorable monologues; the role earned Patekar a National Film Award for Best Actor. Other notable films included Agni Sakshi, Ab Tak Chhappan and Apaharan. He also received acclaim for playing the deaf father of Manisha Koirala’s character in Khamoshi: The Musical. In 2013, Patekar received the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours, for his contribution to cinema. His most recent film appearance was in the Bollywood comedy Housefull 5, released in June. He is survived by his wife, Neelakanti, and son, Malhar Patekar.