PANAJI, October 8, 2026 – The Indian film industry has been plunged into mourning following the demise of veteran actor Nana Patekar, who passed away on Thursday morning after suffering a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. The cinematic legend, renowned for his intense performances and unparalleled dialogue delivery, was 75.
According to reports, Patekar complained of chest pain and was found unconscious in the early hours of Thursday. He was immediately rushed to Manipal Hospital in Goa. Dr. Shekhar Salkar, the head of oncology at the hospital, stated that despite 45 minutes of continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by the medical team, the actor could not be revived and was declared dead at 5:20 AM. He is survived by his wife and his son, Malhar.
With a career spanning nearly five decades, Patekar leaves behind a towering legacy in both Hindi and Marathi cinema, alongside notable appearances in Tamil and Kannada films. After making his debut in 1978 with Gaman, he gained widespread critical acclaim for his roles in movies like Salaam Bombay!, Parinda, Agni Sakshi, and Krantiveer—winning three National Film Awards. In 2013, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his exceptional contribution to the arts. A younger generation of cinema lovers famously celebrated him for his iconic portrayal of the quirky gangster Uday Shetty in the 2007 blockbuster comedy Welcome.
News of his sudden passing triggered an outpouring of grief from across the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the late actor on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Shri Nana Patekar’s contribution to Hindi and Marathi cinema was immense. His passing leaves a deep void”. Actor Akshay Kumar, Patekar’s long-time co-star, expressed his sorrow, noting, “He was one of those rare actors who never needed to do too much to make you sit up and watch. That voice, that intensity, that honesty in every performance… he was completely his own”. Several state Chief Ministers and industry stalwarts, including Rajinikanth, also offered their condolences.
The actor’s last rites will be performed with full state honors on Thursday evening near his Pune residence in the Donaje village area, where hundreds of grieving fans have already gathered to bid a final farewell to the beloved “Krantiveer” of Indian cinema.
Published by True Roots Media Network