Nana Patekar, a towering figure in Indian cinema renowned for his intense screen presence and distinctive dialogue delivery, has died at the age of 75. His son, Malhar Patekar, confirmed the news to the BBC.
The acclaimed actor suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Goa in the early hours of Thursday morning. He was immediately transported to Manipal Hospital, where medical staff attempted resuscitation for 45 minutes.
“Despite 45 minutes of continuous CPR, he could not be revived,” Dr. Shekhar Salkar told the ANI news agency.
Patekar began his professional journey in theatre before transitioning to films, making his cinematic debut in the 1978 release Gaman. After years of portraying supporting roles, he achieved widespread fame in 1989 with Parinda. His portrayal of the volatile gangster Anna earned him his first National Film Award and Filmfare Award, cementing his status as a household name.
Throughout the 1990s and beyond, Patekar showcased remarkable versatility, moving between Hindi and Marathi cinema. His repertoire included roles as a soldier in Prahaar, which he also directed, a villain in Angaar, and the patriotic leader Pratap Narayan Tilak in Krantiveer, a performance that secured him another National Film Award. He also delivered a critically acclaimed turn in Khamoshi, playing a deaf-mute character.
In 2010, his role as a shrewd politician in Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti further highlighted his range. Over his lifetime, he received three National Film Awards for Parinda, Krantiveer, and Agni Sakshi.
Beyond acting, Patekar was an active theatre performer in both Marathi and Hindi stages, with notable productions including Purush and Hamidabai Chi Kothi. He was also known for his vocal activism, particularly regarding farmers’ rights. In 2015, he co-founded the Naam Foundation with actor Makarand Anaspure to support agricultural welfare and rural infrastructure in Maharashtra.
His career was not without controversy. In 2018, actor Tanushree Dutta accused him of sexual harassment on a film set ten years prior, an accusation that helped ignite India’s #MeToo movement. Patekar denied the allegations, and in 2019, police closed the case due to insufficient evidence.
RIP. Did anyone else find his theatrical background really elevated his screen presence? Such a raw energy he brought to every role.
Heartbroken. His intensity in Krantiveer was unmatched. A true legend of Indian cinema. Rest in peace, Nana saab.