Entertainment
Nana Patekar dies at 75 in Goa: Doctor recounts late-night message before attempts to save him
The celebrated Hindi and Marathi actor suffered a cardiac arrest early on October 8. Maharashtra has announced a funeral with full state honours, while a postmortem will establish the underlying cause of death.
For generations of moviegoers, Nana Patekar was a presence that could change the mood of a scene in seconds. His anger could unsettle an audience, his silences could convey grief, and his comic timing could make an unlikely gangster unforgettable.
The veteran actor died in Goa in the early hours of Thursday, October 8, 2026, aged 75. His son, Malhar Patekar, confirmed the news to The Indian Express, saying he was travelling from Pune to Goa and would issue a detailed statement.
Doctors at Manipal Hospital attempted to revive the actor after an emergency team was called to his home in Dona Paula. Dr Shekhar Salkar, the hospital’s chief of oncology, said Patekar had suffered a cardiac arrest, although what triggered it remained unclear.
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A message sent in the early hours
According to Dr Salkar’s account, reported by The Times of India, Patekar messaged a friend at around 2.30 am, saying he felt uncomfortable and had pain on his left side. The friend did not immediately see the message.
When the friend reached the house at approximately 4 am, the actor was sweating and struggling to breathe. His caretaker then sought help from the nearby hospital, which dispatched an ambulance and an emergency team.
Medical staff began CPR at the residence and continued resuscitation while taking him to hospital. Dr Salkar said Patekar arrived at around 4.20 am without signs of life. Further efforts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he was declared dead at approximately 5.20 am, according to that account.
Postmortem to establish the underlying cause
A medico-legal case has been registered, and the actor’s body was sent to Goa Medical College for a postmortem examination.
While doctors have identified cardiac arrest, the underlying medical cause has yet to be established. Early reports contain differing accounts of his medical history, making it premature to attribute his death to a particular pre-existing condition.
From the intensity of ‘Krantiveer’ to the humour of ‘Welcome’
Patekar’s career stretched across nearly five decades. After beginning in theatre, he entered films with Gaman in 1978, building a body of work that moved between Hindi and Marathi cinema.
His performances in Parinda, Krantiveer and Agni Sakshi brought him three National Film Awards. He received the Padma Shri in 2013.
Yet a list of honours captures only part of his appeal. In Welcome, his Uday Shetty found humour in the uneasy balance between menace and vulnerability. In Natsamrat, he portrayed the loneliness and wounded pride of a retired stage actor. With Prahaar, he also took on writing and directing duties alongside acting.
A connection with farmers beyond the screen
Away from cinema, Patekar worked for drought-affected farming communities. In 2015, he co-founded Naam Foundation with actor Makarand Anaspure, making support for distressed farmers an enduring part of his public life.
The Maharashtra government has announced that his funeral will be held with full state honours, recognising his contribution to theatre and Hindi and Marathi cinema.
For his audiences, the memories will be personal: a fierce speech from Krantiveer, an awkwardly funny moment from Welcome, or the heartbreak of Natsamrat. Across those very different roles, his voice and presence remained unmistakable.
