Nana Patekar Passes Away at 75: Film Industry and Leaders Pay Tribute

Veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away at the age of 75 on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The actor died during the early hours at his residence in Goa, leaving the Hindi and Marathi film industries in deep shock.

Known for his powerful acting, distinctive voice and intense screen presence, Nana Patekar worked across Hindi cinema, Marathi films and theatre during a career that lasted for more than five decades.

His death has led to an outpouring of condolences from actors, political leaders and fans across the country.

Nana Patekar Dies at 75

Nana Patekar was found unconscious at his apartment in Dona Paula near Panaji in Goa. He was later taken to a private hospital.

According to the information released on Thursday, he had suffered a cardiac arrest. His body was taken to Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim for a postmortem examination.

The news came as a shock because Patekar had remained active and was widely remembered for his strong personality and energetic presence.

A Career Spanning More Than Five Decades

Nana Patekar was one of the most recognisable actors in Indian cinema. He was known for taking on different kinds of roles instead of staying limited to one type of character.

Some of his notable Hindi films include Parinda, Prahaar: The Final Act, Tirangaa, Krantiveer and Khamoshi: The Musical. His performances often stood out because of his dialogue delivery, expressions and ability to bring a strong personality to his characters.

He also remained closely connected with Marathi cinema and theatre.

Over the years, Patekar received three National Film Awards, along with several Filmfare Awards, the Maharashtra State Film Award and Filmfare Awards Marathi. He was also honoured with the Padma Shri, one of India’s major civilian awards.

Actors Mourn Nana Patekar’s Death

News of Nana Patekar’s death quickly spread across the film industry.

Actors including Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, Rajinikanth, Jr NTR, Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Prakash Raj, Riteish Deshmukh and Sunny Deol remembered the veteran actor and expressed their grief.

Akshay Kumar, who worked with Patekar in the popular 2007 film Welcome, said he was deeply saddened by his passing.

R. Madhavan remembered Patekar as a legend and spoke about how strongly he was influenced by his performance in Prahaar: The Final Attack.

Kangana Ranaut also expressed shock over the news, while Kiara Advani and Bhumi Pednekar paid tribute to the late actor.

Rajpal Yadav and Raza Murad Pay Tribute

Actor Rajpal Yadav expressed his sadness after hearing about Patekar’s death. He remembered him with affection and said he had always imagined seeing Nana Patekar continue working for many more years.

Rajpal prayed for peace for Nana Patekar’s soul and said it was difficult to believe that the veteran actor was gone.

Veteran actor Raza Murad also offered his condolences. He remembered Patekar not only as a great actor but also for his generosity and contribution to charitable causes.

Political Leaders Remember Nana Patekar

Several political leaders also expressed their grief over the actor’s death.

President Droupadi Murmu described his passing as a great loss to Indian cinema and offered condolences to his family and admirers.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called Nana Patekar’s death an irreparable loss to Indian cinema. He praised the actor’s ability to handle comedy as well as serious and intense characters.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also remembered Patekar as an important figure in both Marathi and Hindi cinema. He highlighted the actor’s contribution to society and his work for farmers.

Other leaders, including Himanta Biswa Sarma, Yogi Adityanath, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Mohan Yadav, Vishnu Deo Sai and N. Chandrababu Naidu, also expressed condolences.

Nana Patekar’s Work for Farmers

Nana Patekar was known not only for his acting but also for his social work.

He worked with farmers and families affected by farmer suicides in Maharashtra. In 2016, he co-founded the Naam Foundation with Marathi actor Makarand Anaspure.

The foundation worked in rural parts of Maharashtra, including areas affected by drought. Patekar also supported families of farmers and took part in work related to water conservation and rural development.

One of the initiatives associated with him was the distribution of Aarogya cards to the wives of around 500 farmers who had died by suicide in Marathwada. These cards helped them receive free medical treatment at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for several years.

This side of Patekar’s life made him important to many people beyond the film industry.

Nana Patekar’s Most Remembered Films

Throughout his long career, Patekar played many different types of characters.

His work in films such as Krantiveer, Prahaar, Parinda, Khamoshi and Welcome remains popular among audiences.

His style was different from many mainstream stars. He often relied on strong dialogue delivery and realistic performances rather than simply playing conventional hero roles.

His portrayal of characters in films such as Krantiveer and Natsamrat was also remembered by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis while paying tribute to him.

Nana Patekar’s Contribution to Marathi Cinema and Theatre

Although he became widely known through Hindi cinema, Nana Patekar had a strong connection with Marathi cinema and theatre.

His career reflected his versatility. He could play serious characters, negative roles, emotional parts and even comedy roles.

Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said Patekar had created a distinct identity through his work in Hindi films, Marathi films and Marathi theatre. He also said the actor’s powerful voice and acting ability made his characters memorable.

Nana Patekar’s Lasting Legacy

For many viewers, Nana Patekar was more than just a film actor.

He was recognised for bringing realism and intensity to his characters. His dialogue delivery became one of his most recognisable features, while his choice of roles allowed him to remain relevant across generations.

Politicians and fellow actors repeatedly highlighted the same two sides of his life — his contribution to cinema and his concern for social issues.

Nitin Gadkari, while mourning his death, remembered Patekar’s work for rural Maharashtra and said his efforts through the Naam Foundation had helped many families.

Full State Honours for Nana Patekar

Maharashtra authorities announced that Nana Patekar would be cremated with full State honours.

The decision was taken in view of his major contribution to Marathi and Hindi cinema as well as theatre.

His passing marks the end of a long and memorable chapter in Indian cinema. From intense dramatic performances to popular comedy roles, Nana Patekar created a body of work that connected with audiences in different parts of the country.

Final Words

Nana Patekar’s death has left the Indian film industry and his millions of fans deeply saddened. He spent more than five decades in cinema and created a unique identity through his acting, powerful voice and memorable characters.

At the same time, his work outside films, especially his efforts for farmers and rural communities, became an important part of his legacy.

As tributes continue to come from actors, political leaders and people across the country, Nana Patekar will be remembered for both his contribution to Indian cinema and his work for society.

Om Shanti.