PUNE: Indian cinema lost one of its fiercest, most original and uncompromising voices on Thursday as veteran actor Nana Patekar died following a cardiac arrest at the age of 75. The actor, known for his intense performances, unforgettable dialogue delivery and blunt honesty, was found unresponsive at his residence in Goa in the early hours of the morning.
Despite prolonged efforts by doctors to revive him, Patekar was declared dead at Manipal Hospital at 5:20 am.
According to hospital officials, the actor had complained of severe chest pain around 2:30 am and messaged a close friend saying he was unwell. By the time help reached his home around 4 am, Patekar was sweating heavily and slipping into unconsciousness. Emergency teams rushed to his residence and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately.
NANA PATEKAR NO MORE
Veteran actor Nana Patekar (75) has passed away due to a cardiac arrest.
He suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Goa. He was subsequently admitted to a private hospital in Dona Paula.He passed away at 5:20 AM.
Senior doctors said that a post-mortem… pic.twitter.com/09xqtZkLJX
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) October 8, 2026
Doctors continued CPR for nearly 45 minutes to an hour, but the actor remained in asystole a condition where the heart shows no electrical activity. “Nana Patekar was brought in an unresponsive state. We tried everything possible, but he could not be revived,” Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital said.
Since Patekar was not a registered patient, police were informed and a post-mortem examination was initiated as part of medico-legal procedures. His body has been taken to Goa Medical College before being transported to Maharashtra, where he will be cremated at his Pune farm according to his final wishes.
The Maharashtra government has announced that the actor will be accorded a full state funeral, a rare honour that reflects the extraordinary impact he had on Marathi theatre and Indian cinema.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of veteran actor Nana Patekar, describing him as an actor who possessed “intensity, individuality and unmistakable presence” and whose work would be remembered for generations.
In a post on X, the PM said Patekar brought versatility and creativity to every role and was also admired for his frank and forthright views.
“Few actors possessed the intensity, individuality and unmistakable presence that Shri Nana Patekar Ji had. He brought remarkable versatility and creativity to every role and gave us characters that will be remembered for generations. He was also admired for his frank and forthright views, never hesitating to express what he believed in,” PM Modi said.
Few actors possessed the intensity, individuality and unmistakable presence that Shri Nana Patekar Ji had. He brought remarkable versatility and creativity to every role and gave us characters that will be remembered for generations. He was also admired for his frank and…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 8, 2026
The Prime Minister said Patekar’s contribution to Hindi and Marathi cinema was immense.
“Shri Nana Patekar’s contribution to Hindi and Marathi cinema was immense. His passing leaves a deep void. My condolences to his family, friends and countless admirers. Om Shanti,” he said.
A chilling farewell
What has left admirers stunned is the haunting significance of Patekar’s final public remarks, made just four days before his death at an event in Goa. “We all have to go someday. I don’t know whether I will be here tomorrow or not,” he had said while reflecting on life, mortality and public service.
Those words, spoken casually before an audience, now resonate as an unexpected farewell from a man who spent nearly five decades confronting life’s harshest realities through art.
The actor who refused to fit into any mold
Nana Patekar was not merely a film star. He was an institution.
At a time when mainstream cinema often celebrated glamour, Patekar brought raw intensity, vulnerability and uncomfortable truth to the screen. He could play a violent gangster in Parinda, a fiery patriot in Krantiveer, a ruthless police officer in Ab Tak Chhappan, a troubled husband in Agni Sakshi and the comic gangster Uday Shetty in Welcome all with equal conviction.
His journey began with Gaman in 1978, but it was Parinda (1989) that transformed him into one of India’s finest actors. National Awards followed. So did iconic performances in Angaar, Tirangaa, Krantiveer, Khamoshi, Apaharan, Raajneeti and Natsamrat.
Patekar’s acting style was unmistakable intense eyes, measured pauses and dialogues delivered with a force that few actors could match. He never relied on conventional stardom. He relied on truth.
Away from cinema, Patekar was deeply involved in social causes. Through the Naam Foundation, established with actor Makarand Anaspure, he worked extensively for distressed farmers in drought-hit regions of Maharashtra.
He was also associated with the Territorial Army and held the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Even in his seventies, Patekar remained active, appearing in films such as Vanvaas, Housefull 5, O’ Romeo and Subedaar.
