Veteran actor Nana Patekar, one of the most distinctive performers in Indian cinema, has died at the age of 75. The actor suffered a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa and was rushed to Manipal Hospital after being found unconscious. Despite doctors’ efforts to revive him, he could not be saved.
According to Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, Nana Patekar was found unconscious at around 4 am. He was taken to the hospital, where doctors attempted CPR for nearly 45 minutes. He was declared dead at 5:20 am. A medico-legal case has been registered and a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
Nana Patekar Dies At 75 In Goa
The news of Nana Patekar’s sudden death has left the Hindi and Marathi film industries in shock. His career spanned several decades, during which he built a reputation for powerful performances, intense dialogue delivery and an ability to move comfortably between serious drama and comedy.
Patekar was not an actor who relied on a conventional screen image. His performances often carried a rawness that made his characters stand apart. From Parinda and Krantiveer to Ab Tak Chhappan, Natsamrat and Welcome, he played vastly different characters and made each one memorable.
From Gaman To A Five-Decade Career
Nana Patekar made his Bollywood debut with the 1978 film Gaman. His breakthrough came with films that showcased his ability to handle intense and layered characters. He went on to deliver acclaimed performances in films including Parinda, Wajood, Yeshwant, Shakti: The Power, Tiranga, Ab Tak Chhappan, Apaharan and Taxi No 9211.
His performance as Uday Shetty in Welcome introduced him to a completely different generation of viewers. The 2007 comedy became one of his most popular films, with Patekar’s deadpan delivery and comic timing becoming a major part of its appeal. He later returned as Uday Shetty in Welcome Back in 2015.
He also featured in Prakash Jha’s political drama Raajneeti in 2010 and was part of the ensemble cast of Housefull 5, one of his later mainstream appearances. His recent appearance was in Vishal Bhardwaj’s film O Romeo.
Natsamrat Remained A Special Film
Among his later performances, Natsamrat holds a particularly important place in Nana Patekar’s career. The Marathi film, released in 2016, saw him play a retired stage actor dealing with the emotional challenges of life after leaving the theatre.
The performance earned him widespread appreciation and a Filmfare Award for Best Actor in Marathi cinema. The role also reminded audiences why Patekar had remained one of the most respected performers across Hindi and Marathi cinema. His acting career earned him three National Film Awards, further cementing his position among India’s most acclaimed actors.
Nana Patekar Was Also A Singer
Acting was not Nana Patekar’s only connection with cinema. He also lent his voice as a playback singer in films including Yeshwant, Wajood and Aanch. Over the years, he also worked as a filmmaker and writer, showing that his involvement with cinema went beyond simply appearing in front of the camera.
What made his career particularly interesting was the variety. He could play a serious police officer, a troubled father, a politician, a gangster or a comic character without making the performances feel similar.
His Work Beyond Cinema
Nana Patekar was also known for his social work, particularly his association with farmers and drought-affected families in Maharashtra. In 2015, he reportedly extended financial assistance to drought-hit farming families and personally handed over cheques of Rs 15,000 to more than 100 affected families in Latur and Vidarbha.
His charitable efforts became another part of his public image. He was often associated with a relatively simple lifestyle despite the considerable success he achieved in the film industry. His social work through the Naam Foundation also focused on helping farmers and communities affected by drought. His contribution outside cinema was recognised by several public figures following his death.
Riteish Deshmukh, Akshay Kumar Pay Emotional Tribute
आज शब्द थिजले आहेत, काळजावर जणू वीज कोसळली आहे.⁰नाना गेले… या एका वाक्याने मन सुन्न, निःशब्द झाले आहे.
तुम्ही अभिनयाचे आकाश होतात, ज्याला तुलनेची सीमा नव्हती.⁰तुमच्या अनोख्या शैलीने रसिकांच्या हृदयात तुम्ही अढळ घर केले.
कधी पडद्यावरचा तेजस्वी नायक, कधी अंगावर शहारे आणणारा… pic.twitter.com/tZoOZxgaEk— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) October 8, 2026
Following the news of Nana Patekar’s death, tributes began pouring in from the film industry. Actor Riteish Deshmukh shared an emotional message on X, remembering the veteran performer and his unique style of acting.
“I am shocked beyond words. Feels like a truck has hit me. Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Nana Patekar ji. An actor par excellence, incomparable to anyone, he carved his place in people’s hearts with his own unique style and brand of acting. There wasn’t a role or a character he couldn’t perform.”
Riteish was among several members of the film fraternity who remembered Patekar’s contribution to Indian cinema.
Really saddened by the news of Nana ji’s passing.
He was one of those rare actors who never needed to do too much to make you sit up and watch. That voice, that intensity, that honesty in every performance… he was completely his own.
I feel fortunate that we got to work together in Welcome, and then again more recently in Housefull 5. There are so many memories from those sets that I’ll always hold close.
Nana ji was truly one of a kind. It’s hard to believe you’re gone.
Thank you for all the memories. You will be missed more than words can say. 🙏— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) October 8, 2026
Akshay Kumar also paid tribute to his former co-star, recalling their collaborations in Welcome and Housefull 5 and describing him as a one-of-a-kind performer whose absence would be deeply felt. He wrote,
Really saddened by the news of Nana ji’s passing. He was one of those rare actors who never needed to do too much to make you sit up and watch. That voice, that intensity, that honesty in every performance… he was completely his own.
I feel fortunate that we got to work together in Welcome, and then again more recently in Housefull 5. There are so many memories from those sets that I’ll always hold close. Nana ji was truly one of a kind. It’s hard to believe you’re gone. Thank you for all the memories. You will be missed more than words can say. 🙏
A Distinctive Voice In Indian Cinema
Nana Patekar’s appeal was never limited to one kind of audience. He could be intense in a serious drama and effortlessly funny in a commercial entertainer. His voice, expressions and dialogue delivery became instantly recognisable.
His passing marks the end of a remarkable acting journey that lasted nearly five decades. From Gaman to Natsamrat and Welcome, Patekar left behind characters that continue to be remembered by different generations of moviegoers.
Nana Patekar’s death at 75 is a significant loss for Indian cinema. While the circumstances surrounding his sudden cardiac arrest will be examined through the post-mortem process, his artistic legacy is already firmly established. He leaves behind a body of work that reflects the range, individuality and intensity that made him one of Indian cinema’s most recognisable performers.
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