Mumbai: Indian actor Nana Patekar died on Thursday at the age of 75 after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa.
According to Indian media reports, Patekar was found unconscious at his apartment in Dona Paula, near Panaji, and taken to Manipal Hospital. Medical staff reportedly attempted to revive him for 45 minutes.
Born Vishwanath Patekar, the actor began his Hindi film career with Gaman in 1978, alongside Farooq Shaikh and Smita Patil. He gained recognition for his performance in Parinda, which earned him his first National Film Award.
His career included films such as Tirangaa, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Khamoshi, Ghulam e Mustafa, Ab Tak Chhappan and Raajneeti. His portrayal of Uday Shetty in the comedy Welcome introduced him to another generation of audiences.
Patekar also built a following in Pakistan, where Hindi films have long attracted viewers. His dialogue delivery and performances in films including Krantiveer, Tirangaa and Welcome contributed to his recognition among Pakistani audiences.
Actor Akshay Kumar expressed grief over Nana Patekar’s reported death in a post on X, recalling their work together in Welcome and Housefull 5. Kumar praised Patekar’s screen presence, voice and performances, saying he would cherish the memories they shared on set. Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma also expressed sadness, remembering Patekar’s contributions to Ab Tak Chhappan, Bhoot and The Attacks of 26/11. Their tributes reflected the actor’s longstanding relationships within the Hindi film industry and the impact of his work across different genres.
