Agencies | Panaji:
Veteran actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar died on Thursday at the age of 75 after suffering a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa, bringing an end to a distinguished career spanning more than five decades in Hindi and Marathi cinema.
Patekar was found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, in the early hours of Thursday and was rushed to Manipal Hospital. Doctors attempted to revive him through continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for around 45 minutes, but he could not be revived. He was declared dead at 5:20 am, according to Dr Shekhar Salkar, chief of the oncology department at Manipal Hospital.
A medico-legal case has been registered, and a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted to establish the precise circumstances surrounding his death, according to reports.
Patekar, whose real name was Vishwanath Patekar, was among Indian cinema’s most distinctive performers, known for his intense screen presence, powerful dialogue delivery and ability to portray complex and emotionally demanding characters.
His career included critically acclaimed performances in films such as ‘Parinda’, ‘Krantiveer’, ‘Agni Sakshi’, ‘Ab Tak Chhappan’ and ‘Apaharan’, among numerous others. He also remained associated with Marathi cinema and theatre and ventured into filmmaking as a director and producer.
His performance in Krantiveer earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor, while his wider body of work brought him several major honours, including National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards.
Beyond mainstream Hindi cinema, Patekar maintained a strong connection with Marathi theatre and films, establishing himself as an actor whose performances often combined intensity with social and emotional depth.
His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the Indian film industry, with colleagues, fellow artistes and admirers mourning the loss of one of the country’s most respected actors.
Further details regarding his last rites and funeral arrangements are awaited.
