Nana Patekar Dies at 75: Veteran Actor Passes Away After Cardiac Arrest in Goa

Veteran actor Nana Patekar, one of the most respected names in Hindi and Marathi cinema, passed away at the age of 75 on Thursday morning, October 8, after suffering a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. 

The actor was found unconscious at his home and was taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him for around 45 minutes.

According to Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, Nana Patekar was declared dead at around 5:20 am. A medico-legal case has been registered and a postmortem examination will be conducted.

Nana Patekar was reportedly found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, following the cardiac arrest. Medical personnel continued CPR for nearly 45 minutes in an attempt to revive the veteran actor, but he could not be saved.

His son, Malhar Patekar, was reportedly in Pune when the incident occurred and has travelled to Goa following the news of his father’s death.

The postmortem is expected to provide further clarity regarding the exact medical circumstances surrounding his death.

Nana Patekar had remained active in public life until shortly before his death. He was recently seen at an event in Goa’s Dona Paula, where he attended and addressed the installation ceremony of Samraat Club International.

A video from the event has since resurfaced on social media, showing the actor speaking at the gathering just days before his sudden demise.

His final public appearance has left fans and members of the film fraternity remembering the actor’s enduring presence and his continued involvement in social and public initiatives.

Born Vishwanath Patekar, Nana Patekar began his acting journey on stage before making his film debut with the 1978 movie Gaman, which starred Farooq Sheikh and Smita Patil.

Over the following decades, he established himself as one of Indian cinema’s most distinctive performers. Known for his intense screen presence, powerful dialogue delivery and ability to bring emotional depth to complex characters, Patekar worked across both Hindi and Marathi cinema.

His acclaimed filmography included Parinda, Krantiveer, Khamoshi: The Musical, Shakti: The Power, Apaharan, Ab Tak Chhappan, Raajneeti, Welcome and the Marathi classic Natsamrat.

From serious dramas and socially relevant films to mainstream entertainers, Nana Patekar repeatedly demonstrated his versatility as an actor. His portrayal of Uday Shetty in Welcome also introduced his distinctive comic timing to a new generation of audiences.

Nana Patekar’s contribution to Indian cinema was recognised with several prestigious honours. He was a three-time National Film Award winner and received the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contribution to the arts.

His performances in films such as Parinda and Krantiveer remain among the most remembered work of his career, while his Marathi performances, particularly in Natsamrat, further established his reputation as a performer capable of carrying emotionally demanding roles.

Beyond acting, Patekar also explored filmmaking and directed Prahaar: The Final Attack, a film centred on the lives and struggles of soldiers.