Panaji: Veteran actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar died at the age of 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa on Thursday, October 8, bringing an end to a remarkable career spanning nearly five decades in Hindi and Marathi cinema.
Patekar was reportedly found unconscious at his home in Dona Paula, near Panaji, in the early hours of Thursday. He was taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him with continuous CPR for around 45 minutes. Despite the efforts, he could not be saved.
Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital confirmed the cardiac arrest. A medico-legal case has been registered and a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted as part of the formal procedure.
VIDEO | Goa: Veteran actor Nana Patekar passes away at 75. Dr Shekhar Salkar, a senior doctor at Manipal Hospital, says, “Our favourite actor Nana Patekar was brought dead to our hospital and was declared dead at 5.20 am today. His caretaker arrived at around 4.18-20 am, took our ambulance and went to his flat, which is nearby. By the time our team reached there, he was already on the ground, unconscious and almost unresponsive. They started CPR and shifted him to the hospital while continuing CPR. He was brought here in about 10 minutes, and we continued CPR here as well. But it was like he was brought dead. So we had to register a medico-legal case, and the body has now been shifted to Goa Medical College for post-mortem. It was a cardiac arrest, but we do not know the cause. He was a known cardiac patient and was on medication, as far as we have been told.”
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 8, 2026
Born Vishwanath Patekar, Nana Patekar carved out a distinctive place in Indian cinema with his intense performances, commanding screen presence and powerful dialogue delivery. He began his journey in Marathi theatre and made his film debut with Gaman in 1978.
He went on to deliver acclaimed performances in films such as Parinda, Krantiveer, Prahar, Angaar, Khamoshi: The Musical, Ab Tak Chhappan and Natsamrat. His portrayal of complex and hard-hitting characters earned him several major honours, including National Film Awards, while the Government of India conferred the Padma Shri on him in 2013.
Patekar also displayed a lighter side of his acting in mainstream entertainers, most notably as the memorable gangster Uday Shetty in Welcome. The role introduced his unique comic timing to a new generation of audiences.
He remained active in cinema in his later years, appearing in projects including Housefull 5 and O’ Romeo. His contribution also extended beyond films, with his involvement in social initiatives and philanthropy.
The actor’s death has triggered an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, political leaders and fans, with many remembering him as an exceptionally versatile performer whose raw, uncompromising acting style left an enduring mark on Indian cinema.
