Veteran actor, filmmaker and theatre personality Nana Patekar died on Thursday at the age of 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa, bringing to an end a career spanning nearly five decades across Hindi and Marathi cinema.
Patekar, whose birth name was Vishwanath Patekar, was found unconscious at his Goa residence and taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted resuscitation before he was declared dead. His son Malhar Patekar confirmed his death, while hospital authorities said the actor had suffered cardiac arrest. A medico-legal case was registered and a post-mortem was ordered.
Born on January 1, 1951, Patekar began his artistic journey through theatre before entering films. He made his film debut with the 1978 Hindi film Gaman and subsequently worked in both Hindi and Marathi cinema, developing a reputation for portraying intense, complex and often unconventional characters.
His breakthrough came with Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Parinda in 1989, in which he played a gangster. The performance earned him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor as well as the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Patekar followed it with a series of acclaimed performances during the 1990s. His filmography included Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Angaar, Tirangaa, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi and Khamoshi: The Musical. For Angaar, he won the Filmfare Award for Best Villain, while his performance in Krantiveer earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
His role in Agni Sakshi brought another National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. He subsequently appeared in films including Yeshwant, Hu Tu Tu, Gang, Shakti: The Power, Ab Tak Chhappan, Apaharan, Taxi No. 9211 and Raajneeti.
Patekar also demonstrated a different side of his acting in mainstream entertainers. His portrayal of gangster Uday Shetty in Welcome became one of his most widely recognised comic performances. He reprised the character in Welcome Back.
His Marathi work included the critically acclaimed Natsamrat, in which he played a veteran stage actor confronting the later years of his life. The performance earned him the Filmfare Marathi Award for Best Actor and further established his standing beyond Hindi cinema.
Apart from acting, Patekar worked as a writer and filmmaker. He made his directorial debut with Prahaar: The Final Attack, a film centred on the Indian Army, and was also associated with theatre throughout his career.
Patekar’s contribution to cinema was recognized with three National Film Awards and several Filmfare and Maharashtra State awards. He was conferred the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contribution to the field of arts.
Beyond cinema, Patekar was associated with social work, particularly initiatives aimed at helping farmers affected by drought in Maharashtra. In 2015, he and actor Makarand Anaspure established the Naam Foundation to support drought-hit farmers and rural communities.
Known for his distinctive voice, forceful dialogue delivery and ability to move between serious drama, crime films, social themes and comedy, Patekar carved out a career that was markedly different from the conventional image of a mainstream Bollywood star.
His notable films over the decades included Gaman, Ankush, Pratighaat, Salaam Bombay!, Parinda, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Angaar, Tirangaa, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Khamoshi: The Musical, Yeshwant, Hu Tu Tu, Shakti: The Power, Ab Tak Chhappan, Apaharan, Taxi No. 9211, Welcome, Raajneeti, Welcome Back and Natsamrat.
Patekar is survived by his son Malhar Patekar and other family members. His death marks the loss of one of the most distinctive performers to emerge from Indian theatre and cinema.
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