Veteran Bollywood Icon Nana Patekar Dies at 75
Nana Patekar, one of India’s most recognizable actors, passed away on Thursday after a sudden cardiac arrest at his home in Goa. At 75, he had carved a niche for himself with hard‑hitting roles in both Hindi and Marathi cinema and theatre.
Patekar was a triple National Film Award winner for his portrayals in Parinda, Krantiveer and Agni Sakshi. He showed great range, playing gangsters, cops, and even a mute character in Khamoshi, earning admiration for his distinctive raspy voice.
Hospitals report he was found unconscious and unresponsive; despite 45 minutes of CPR, he could not be revived. His funeral will be held with full state honours on Thursday evening at his Pune farm house, as announced by the Maharashtra government.
Indian leaders lauded his legacy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Patekar’s “versatility and outspoken personality” on X and called his death a “vast void in the artistic world.” Bollywood star Akshay Kumar remembered him as a rare performer whose intensity commanded the audience.
Beyond acting, Patekar was a vocal activist, especially for farmers. Together with Makarand Anaspure, he founded the Naam Foundation in 2015 to aid farmer welfare and water conservation.
His career was not without controversy; a 2018 sexual‑harassment allegation brought him into India’s #MeToo discourse. After a 2019 police clearance, no evidence was found against him.
Image source: Getty Images
