Veteran actor Nana Patekar died at the age of 75 in Goa on Thursday, October 8, after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula.
Patekar was found unconscious at his apartment and was taken to a private hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him for around 45 minutes. He was declared dead at around 5.10 am, according to Dr Shekhar Salkar, a senior doctor at Manipal Hospital. A medico legal case has been registered and a postmortem examination is expected to establish the exact cause of death.
The actor’s son, Malhar Patekar, also confirmed his death to local media.
Political Leaders and Film Personalities Mourn
News of Patekar’s death prompted tributes from politicians, actors and social workers who remembered his contribution to cinema as well as his work for social causes.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said he shared a close relationship with Patekar and described his death as a major loss to Indian cinema.
“Nana and I shared a very close and friendly relationship. With his powerful acting, Nana Patekar dominated the hearts of audiences through Marathi and Hindi films for more than five decades,” Gadkari said.
He also highlighted Patekar’s work through the Naam Foundation, particularly its efforts towards water conservation and support for families affected by farmer suicides.
Actor Ashok Saraf said he was shocked by the news and recalled his long friendship with Patekar.
“Nana Patekar was a very close friend of mine. I still cannot believe the news. He was physically fit and led a very disciplined life,” Saraf said.
Social worker Prakash Amte, whose life was portrayed by Patekar in the Marathi film Prakashwata, also mourned the actor’s death.
“Nana played my role in a movie, and he had stayed at Hemalkasa for one month. He was highly impressed with Baba Amte’s work. He was younger to me, and it is very painful to accept that he has gone,” Amte said.
Sharad Pawar Recalls Patekar’s Social Work
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar also paid tribute to the actor, particularly remembering his work with drought affected communities through the Naam Foundation.
“Naam Foundation’s contribution towards helping drought affected people has been immense,” Pawar said.
He recalled seeing the foundation’s workers helping people in drought hit areas of Maharashtra.
“Nana would stand with people during such crises, which gave them a different kind of confidence. That absence will certainly be felt today,” Pawar said.
Patekar and actor Makarand Anaspure had founded the Naam Foundation to support people affected by drought and other hardships.
Riteish Deshmukh Calls It ‘End of an Era’
Actor Riteish Deshmukh said he was “shocked beyond words” by Patekar’s death and praised his versatility as an actor.
“I had the privilege of sharing screen space with him in ‘Bluffmaster’ and ‘Housefull 5’, but working with him in a Marathi film will forever remain my unfulfilled desire,” Deshmukh said.
Deshmukh described Patekar’s death as “truly, the end of an era”.
Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal also remembered Patekar’s involvement in water conservation and his support for farmers.
Nana Patekar to Receive State Funeral
Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar announced that Patekar would be accorded a state funeral in recognition of his contribution to Marathi theatre and Marathi and Hindi cinema.
Patekar had a career spanning more than four decades and was known for films including Parinda, Prahaar, Tirangaa, Krantiveer and Khamoshi: The Musical. He won three National Film Awards and several other honours, and was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to cinema and the arts.
His death marks the loss of one of the most recognisable actors of Hindi and Marathi cinema.
