Actor Nana Patekar dies at 75, was found unresponsive at Goa flat

Veteran actor Nana Patekar died at a private hospital in Goa on Thursday morning after he was found unresponsive at his home. He was 75 years old.

In Short

• Veteran actor Nana Patekar complained of chest pain at his Goa flat
• He was found unresponsive after severe chest pain
• A post-mortem will be conducted today

Veteran actor Nana Patekar died at the age of 75 on Thursday, October 8. He was found unresponsive at his flat in Goa after experiencing severe chest pain. He was declared dead by the medical team at Manipal Hospital at 5:20 am.

According to information shared by his son, Malhar Patekar, a medical team was sent to the actor's flat after he complained of severe chest pain. The actor was found unresponsive when the team arrived, and attempts were made to revive him before he was taken to the hospital.

Nana was subsequently brought to Manipal Hospital, where doctors declared him dead at 5:20 am. The hospital medical team tried to revive Nana Patekar for around 45 minutes, but their efforts were unsuccessful and he was declared dead.

Since Nana was not a registered patient at the hospital, the medical team, as per procedure, informed the police about the death. A post-mortem examination will now be conducted before his body is handed over to the family. His body has been taken to Goa Medical College for the post-mortem.

Nana Patekar's legacy

Patekar studied at the Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai before entering the world of theatre and cinema. He made his Hindi film debut with Gaman in 1978. His early filmography included a mix of Hindi and Marathi films, with projects such as Aaj Ki Awaaz, Pratighaat, Mohre and Trishagni gradually establishing him as a performer capable of taking on challenging roles.

His career gained considerable momentum with Ankush (1986), but it was Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Parinda (1989) that became a major turning point. Patekar played the volatile gangster Anna and won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance. He also received the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi and a string of acclaimed performances

The 1990s cemented Patekar's reputation as one of Hindi cinema's most formidable actors.

He won the Filmfare Award for Best Villain for Angaar (1992), followed by another major success with Tirangaa (1993). His performance in Krantiveer (1994), in which he played the fiery Pratap Narayan Tilak, earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor as well as the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

He followed it with Agni Sakshi (1996), for which he won his third National Film Award, this time for Best Supporting Actor. The same period also saw him appear in films such as Khamoshi: The Musical, further demonstrating that his intensity could work just as effectively in emotionally driven dramas.

Patekar's filmography during this period was notable for its variety. He played the roles of a terrifying antagonist, a morally complicated protagonist or a deeply vulnerable character without losing the distinctive screen presence that audiences associated with him.

From Ab Tak Chhappan to Welcome

Patekar remained an important presence in Hindi cinema through the 2000s. In Ab Tak Chhappan (2004), he played Sadhu Agashe, a tough Mumbai police officer caught between his professional duties and personal life. The role became one of his most acclaimed performances of the decade.

He was equally effective as the morally complex politician in Apaharan (2005), winning another Filmfare Award for Best Villain.

But Patekar also demonstrated that his intensity could translate into comedy. His portrayal of gangster Uday Shetty in Welcome (2007) introduced him to a much wider mainstream audience in a completely different avatar. He reprised the role in Welcome Back (2015). His performance in Raajneeti (2010), meanwhile, saw him return to the political drama space.

Natsamrat and Marathi cinema

While Patekar became a major Hindi film star, Marathi cinema remained an important part of his career.

One of his most celebrated later performances came in the Marathi film Natsamrat (2016), in which he played a retired theatre actor dealing with ageing, family and loss. The performance earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Marathi).

His work across Hindi and Marathi cinema allowed him to move between commercial films and more performance-driven projects throughout his career.

Nana Patekar's work in Tamil cinema

Patekar also ventured into Tamil cinema. He appeared in Bharathiraja's Bommalattam and later played an important role in Rajinikanth's Kaala (2018).

In Kaala, he played Harinath Desai, the political antagonist who comes into conflict with Rajinikanth's titular character. The film marked one of his notable appearances in South Indian cinema.

His directorial debut and work outside acting

Patekar was not only an actor. He made his directorial debut with Prahaar: The Final Attack, a 1991 film in which he also played the lead. The film was inspired by the lives and training of soldiers and reflected his longstanding interest in military life.

He was also involved in social work. In 2015, he and fellow Marathi actor Makarand Anaspure established the Naam Foundation, which works on issues affecting farmers, particularly drought-hit communities in Maharashtra.

Patekar was also associated with the Territorial Army and was conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Patekar continued working well into his seventies. His recent filmography included Vanvaas (2024), Housefull 5 (2025), O' Romeo and Subedaar in 2026.

- Ends