Nana Patekar Dies At 75 After Cardiac Arrest At Goa Residence

Veteran actor Nana Patekar died at the age of 75 on Thursday morning after suffering a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa. His death was confirmed by his son, Malhar Patekar.

According to Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, Patekar was found unconscious at his Goa residence and was subsequently taken to the hospital. Doctors attempted to revive him for around 45 minutes through continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but he could not be revived. He was declared dead at around 5:20 am.

A medico-legal case has been registered and a post-mortem examination will be conducted, Dr Salkar said.

Nana Patekar’s Son Confirms Death

Patekar’s son Malhar confirmed the news and said he was travelling from Pune to Goa. He told The Indian Express that his father had died of natural causes and that the family would issue a detailed statement.

The sudden death has sent shockwaves through the Hindi and Marathi film industries, where Patekar was regarded as one of the most distinctive actors of his generation.

Four-Decade Career In Cinema

Born Vishwanath Patekar, Nana Patekar began his film career with the 1978 drama Gaman. Over the following decades, he built a reputation for intense performances and powerful dialogue delivery across Hindi and Marathi cinema.

His notable films included Parinda, Prahaar: The Final Attack, Tirangaa, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Khamoshi: The Musical, Ab Tak Chhappan and Welcome. His performance in Krantiveer earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor, while he also received a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Agni Sakshi.

Patekar also worked as a director and theatre artiste. He directed Prahaar: The Final Attack, which focused on the lives and struggles of soldiers.

Padma Shri Honouree

In recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema and the arts, Nana Patekar was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013. His career spanned more than four decades and included work across films, theatre and direction.

Even in his later years, Patekar remained active in films. His recent work included Subedaar, which was released in 2026.

Nana Patekar’s death marks the loss of one of Indian cinema’s most recognisable performers, whose distinctive acting style and memorable characters left a lasting impression on audiences across generations.