Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar died at 5:20 am on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. He was 75.
Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Department of Oncology at Manipal Hospital, confirmed Patekar’s death in a statement to ANI over the phone. According to Salkar, the actor suffered a cardiac arrest at his residence, following which doctors immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Doctors continued attempts to revive Patekar for around 45 minutes. However, he remained in asystole throughout the CPR, meaning his heart showed no electrical activity and could not be revived.
Salkar said a medico-legal case (MLC) has been completed following the actor’s death. A post-mortem examination is also required as part of the formal procedure. The doctor confirmed that medical teams made continued efforts to revive Patekar for 45 minutes after he suffered the cardiac arrest, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Patekar’s death marks the loss of one of the most respected and recognisable actors in both Hindi and Marathi cinema. Known for his powerful screen presence and intense performances, he built a career spanning several decades and established himself as one of Indian cinema’s most distinctive performers.
Patekar made his acting debut with the 1978 film Gaman. He gradually gained recognition through a series of memorable performances and went on to become a prominent figure in both mainstream and critically acclaimed cinema.
Among his best-known films are Parinda, Prahar, Angaar, Krantiveer, Tiranga, Khamoshi and Ab Tak Chhappan. His performances, particularly in serious and character-driven roles, earned him widespread appreciation from audiences and critics.
Over the years, Patekar also received several honours for his contribution to Indian cinema. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013, one of India’s highest civilian honours, in recognition of his contribution to the arts.
Despite his long career, Patekar continued to appear in films in recent years. He was part of Housefull 5, the comedy franchise film starring Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh and several other actors.
He also appeared in Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo, in which he played a police officer. The film stars Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri. In addition, Patekar had a cameo appearance in Subedar, which features Anil Kapoor and Radhika Madan.
With his death, Indian cinema has lost an actor whose career was defined by versatility, powerful performances and a lasting presence across both Hindi and Marathi films. Patekar’s work over more than four decades left a significant mark on Indian cinema, and his performances in several acclaimed films continue to be remembered by audiences.
