Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar has died at the age of 75. The acclaimed Bollywood and Marathi cinema actor passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2026, after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa.
According to reports, Nana Patekar was found unconscious at his home in Dona Paula, Goa, and was subsequently taken to Manipal Hospital. Doctors attempted to revive him with CPR for around 45 minutes, but he could not be saved. He was declared dead at approximately 5:20 a.m.
Nana Patekar Death: What Happened?
Nana Patekar reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest at his Goa residence in the early hours of Thursday. His son, Malhar Patekar, confirmed the actor’s death.
Hospital sources said medical teams attempted resuscitation for about 45 minutes. Despite those efforts, the veteran actor could not be revived.
News of Nana Patekar’s death has sent shockwaves across the Indian film industry, with actors, filmmakers, politicians and fans remembering his extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema.
Nana Patekar’s Illustrious Acting Career
Born Vishwanath Patekar, Nana Patekar built a career spanning nearly five decades. He made his film debut with the 1978 Hindi movie Gaman and gradually established himself as one of India’s most respected character actors.
His breakthrough performances came with films such as Parinda, Prahaar: The Final Attack and Krantiveer. He became particularly known for his intense acting style, distinctive voice and powerful dialogue delivery.
Some of Nana Patekar’s most memorable films include:
- Gaman
- Ankush
- Parinda
- Prahaar: The Final Attack
- Krantiveer
- Agni Sakshi
- Khamoshi: The Musical
- Ab Tak Chhappan
- Apaharan
- Natsamrat
- Welcome
His portrayal of Uday Shetty in Welcome also demonstrated his exceptional comic timing and introduced his performances to a new generation of mainstream Bollywood audiences.
Nana Patekar’s Awards and Achievements
Nana Patekar was one of the most decorated performers in Indian cinema. During his career, he won three National Film Awards and was also honoured with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards. His performances were celebrated across both Hindi and Marathi cinema, and he became known for portraying complex characters with unusual realism and emotional intensity.
Bollywood Mourns Nana Patekar’s Death
Following the news of his death, tributes began pouring in from across the Indian film industry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several prominent actors and public figures expressed condolences, remembering Patekar’s distinctive contribution to Indian cinema. The Maharashtra government has also announced that Nana Patekar will receive a state funeral in recognition of his contribution to theatre and cinema.
Nana Patekar’s Legacy
Nana Patekar leaves behind a remarkable cinematic legacy. Unlike conventional Bollywood stars, he built his reputation primarily through powerful performances, unforgettable characters and an unmistakable screen presence.
From the menacing Anna in Parinda to the iconic Uday Shetty in Welcome and Ganpatrao Belwalkar in Natsamrat, Patekar repeatedly demonstrated his ability to transform himself for dramatically different roles.
His death marks the loss of one of Indian cinema’s most distinctive voices and performers.