Indian actor Nana Patekar dies at 75 of suspected cardiac arrest
Acclaimed Indian actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar died of a suspected cardiac arrest at his home in Goa on October 8, 2026, at the age of 75.
Hospital Admission and Confirmed Cause of Death
Patekar was found unconscious and unresponsive at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, in the early hours of Thursday. Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital in Goa told the ANI news agency that medical teams attempted continuous CPR for 45 minutes, both during transit and at the hospital, but the actor was pronounced dead upon arrival. His son, Malhar Patekar, confirmed the death to the Press Trust of India, stating that his father passed away from natural causes. Hospital Director Surendra Prasad confirmed the efforts of the medical staff, while officials noted that a medico-legal case was registered and a post-mortem examination would be conducted.
Maharashtra Government Grants Patekar Full State Funeral
The Maharashtra government announced that Patekar will be accorded a full state funeral. According to Ganesh Thorat, CEO of the actor’s Naam Foundation, the last rites will be performed on the premises of the actor’s farmhouse in Donaje near Pune. Political leaders and colleagues offered immediate tributes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X that Patekar brought remarkable versatility and individuality to Indian cinema, leaving a vast void in the artistic world.
Cinematic Legacy Across Hindi and Marathi Cinema
Born Vishwanath Patekar in 1951 in Maharashtra, the actor built a career spanning nearly five decades across Hindi and Marathi cinema, theater, and filmmaking. He made his feature film debut in the 1978 Hindi film Gaman. His breakthrough came with Mira Nair’s Oscar-nominated Salaam Bombay! and the 1989 crime drama Parinda, in which his portrayal of the gangster Anna earned him his first National Film Award and a Filmfare Award. He secured two additional National Film Awards for Krantiveer and Agni Sakshi, alongside a Padma Shri civilian honor in 2013. Film trade analyst Komal Nahta told the BBC that directors continually sought out Patekar despite his outspoken nature because of his exceptional talent and distinct approach to character development.
Court Dismisses Sexual Harassment Charges Against Patekar
In 2018, during the global #MeToo movement, an Indian actress accused Patekar of sexual harassment during a 2008 film shoot. Patekar denied the allegations. In June 2019, the Oshiwara police station in Mumbai filed a B-Summary report clearing Patekar of the charges after finding the complaint could be malicious, and a Mumbai court dismissed the case last year.
Financial Struggles and Prior Interviews
Reflecting on his upbringing in a 2015 interview with Bombay Times during the promotion of Welcome Back, Patekar recalled that financial hardship forced him to work at age 13 after a family associate took his father’s property. He walked eight kilometers daily to paint film posters for 35 rupees a month to secure a single daily meal. In the same interview, Patekar remarked on his lack of fear regarding mortality, stating he felt an obsession with death and preferred to confront difficult situations directly.
“He was one of those rare actors who never needed to do too much to make you sit up and watch,” actor Akshay Kumar shared in his public tribute.
Disclaimer: The views and cultural analyses presented in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Information regarding legal disputes or financial data is based on available public records.