A medico-legal case has been registered to determine the exact cause of death for veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar, who passed away at 75 on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at his residence in Goa after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was declared dead at 5:20 am.
Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, Goa, stated that Patekar was found unconscious at his apartment in Dona Paula. A medical team attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for approximately 45 minutes to an hour but was unable to revive him. His son, Malhar Patekar, confirmed the death to local media.
Investigation and timeline of events
According to Dr Salkar, Patekar had messaged a friend around 3:30 am, indicating he was not feeling well. The friend saw the message around 4:00 am and rushed to Patekar’s apartment, where the actor lived with a caretaker.
The body has been sent to Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, where a postmortem examination will be conducted to ascertain the precise cause of death. Patekar’s family has not yet released an official statement regarding his passing.
Tributes from leaders and colleagues
Condolences poured in from across India following Patekar’s death. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expressed his sorrow, noting that Patekar’s remarkable journey across theatre, Hindi, and Marathi cinema, along with his powerful performances and distinctive artistry, left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari remembered Patekar as a “great soul,” highlighting his significant work in water conservation and watershed management in rural Maharashtra through the ‘Naam Foundation,’ an organisation Patekar co-founded. Gadkari added that Patekar’s support for the families of farmers who committed suicide provided crucial assistance to many. He described Patekar as not only an excellent artist but also a personality sensitive to society.
Fellow actor Prakash Raj shared his cherished memories of Patekar, including conversations, arguments, the food he cooked, and the knowledge he shared. Congress leader Harshwardhan Sapkal also paid homage, describing Patekar as a sensitive personality with outstanding acting, social awareness, and a touch of humanity.
Patekar’s legacy in art and social work
Born on January 1, 1951, in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra, Nana Patekar began his acting career in 1978 with the Hindi film ‘Gaman’. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he established a strong presence in both Hindi and Marathi cinema.
He received numerous accolades, including three National Film Awards, several Filmfare Awards, the Maharashtra State Film Award, and the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, in 2013. His performances in films such as ‘Parinda’ (1989), ‘Krantiveer’ (1994), and ‘Agni Sakshi’ (1996) are particularly remembered.
Beyond his acting career, Patekar was actively involved in social work. Through the ‘Naam Foundation’, he contributed to water conservation and watershed management in rural Maharashtra and provided aid to the families of farmers who had committed suicide. Patekar also served as a Captain in the Indian Army’s Territorial Army in 1990 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2013.
His last film appearance was in ‘Subedaar’, released on Prime Video in 2026, alongside Anil Kapoor and Radhikka Madan. Some sources also cite ‘Housefull 5’, released in June, as one of his final films. Patekar and his wife, Nilkanti Patekar, had been living separately for approximately 35 years but were not legally divorced. The postmortem report is expected to provide further details on the exact cause of his death.
Earlier: बलिउडका चर्चित अभिनेता नाना पाटेकरको ७५ वर्षको उमेरमा निधन
