Nana Patekar Dies at 75 After Cardiac Arrest in Goa; Maharashtra Gives Him a State Funeral

Veteran actor Nana Patekar died early on Thursday, 8 October 2026, at his home in Dona Paula, Goa. He was 75. Doctors said he suffered a cardiac arrest. He was declared dead at 5:20 am.

Nana Patekar was one of the most respected actors in Hindi and Marathi cinema. His career ran for nearly five decades. The Maharashtra government gave him a state funeral. His last rites are being held at his farmhouse in Donje village, near Pune.

What happened in Goa

Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital in Goa said the actor had sent a message to a friend in the early hours of Thursday. In it, he said he was not feeling well.

The friend saw the message late. He reached the actor’s home at around 4 am. Nana Patekar was sweating and gasping for breath.

A hospital team rushed to the house and found him unresponsive. The team started CPR at home and kept it going on the way to the hospital. Doctors tried for about 45 minutes, but they could not save him.

Dr Salkar said it was a case of cardiac arrest. The hospital registered a medicolegal case. His body was taken to Goa Medical College in Bambolim for a postmortem.

Son Malhar confirms the news

His son, Malhar, confirmed the death to The Indian Express. “Yes, the information is true. I am in Pune right now and reaching Goa. I will come up with detailed statement,” he said.

Nana Patekar is survived by his son Malhar and his wife, Neelakanti Patekar.

State funeral near Pune

Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar announced the state funeral. He cited the actor’s work in Marathi theatre and in Marathi and Hindi cinema. The decision was taken by the state government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

His body was flown from Goa to Pune. Fadnavis paid his last respects at Pune Airport. The body was then taken to the farmhouse in Donje. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was among the first leaders to arrive there. Director Anees Bazmee, who made Welcome, and actors Pravin Tarde and Prasad Oak were also present, The Times of India reported.

Leaders pay tribute to Nana Patekar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his grief on X, and the Press Information Bureau released his message. “Few actors possessed the intensity, individuality and unmistakable presence that Shri Nana Patekar Ji had,” he wrote.

He added: “Shri Nana Patekar’s contribution to Hindi and Marathi cinema was immense. His passing leaves a deep void. My condolences to his family, friends and countless admirers. Om Shanti.”

President Droupadi Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu said she was “deeply saddened” by his death, PTI reported. She praised his powerful performances and his social service. “His passing is a great loss to Indian cinema. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and admirers,” she wrote on X.

Chief Ministers, ministers and film stars

Chief Minister Fadnavis said: “He gave Marathi and Hindi cinema an entire era. From Krantiveer to Natsamrat, there is no parallel to the powerful and accomplished range of his acting.”

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said he was “shocked and deeply saddened”.

Actor Akshay Kumar, who worked with him in Welcome, wrote on X: “Nana ji was truly one of a kind. It’s hard to believe you’re gone.”

A life in theatre and films

Nana Patekar was born Vishwanath Patekar in 1951 in Maharashtra. He studied at the Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art in Mumbai. He began on the stage and worked with the noted Marathi theatre director Vijaya Mehta.

His first film was Muzaffar Ali’s Gaman in 1978. For the next ten years, he played small roles in Hindi and Marathi films. He won praise for playing Baba in Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay! (1988).

Parinda and Krantiveer

His big break came with Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Parinda (1989). He played Anna, a cruel underworld boss. The role won him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 1991, he directed Prahaar: The Final Attack and also played the lead.

Krantiveer (1994) won him the National Film Award for Best Actor. Two years later, Agni Sakshi (1996) brought his third National Award, again for Best Supporting Actor. He also won several Filmfare Awards, including Best Villain for Angaar (1992) and Apaharan (2005).

From Welcome to Natsamrat

He also starred in Khamoshi: The Musical, Ab Tak Chhappan, Taxi No. 9211 and Raajneeti. Many younger fans know him as the gangster Uday Shetty in the comedy Welcome (2007). He played the role again in Welcome Back (2015).

In Marathi cinema, his role as an ageing stage actor in Natsamrat (2016) is among his most celebrated. He also acted with Rajinikanth in the Tamil film Kaala (2018). His later films included The Vaccine War (2023) and Housefull 5 (2025). For more on Indian films, see our list of top grossing Indian movies and our story on how Indian cinema has shaped culture.

Honours and service

The Government of India gave him the Padma Shri in 2013. Read about another actor’s Padma honour in our story on Mithun Chakraborty and his Padma Bhushan.

He also served in the Territorial Army. He joined as a captain in 1988 and had risen to lieutenant colonel by the time he left in 2013, Variety reported. In 2015, he set up the Naam Foundation with actor Makarand Anaspure to help drought hit farmers in Maharashtra.

His later years also saw controversy. In 2018, actor Tanushree Dutta accused him of harassing her on a film set in 2008. He denied the charges. Mumbai Police filed a closure report in 2019.

Frequently asked questions

How did Nana Patekar die?

He suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Dona Paula, Goa, early on 8 October 2026. He was declared dead at 5:20 am.

How old was Nana Patekar?

He was 75 years old. He was born in 1951.

Where are his last rites being held?

At his farmhouse in Donje village, near Pune. The Maharashtra government gave him a state funeral.

Which awards did he win?

He won three National Film Awards, several Filmfare Awards and the Padma Shri in 2013.

Sources

• The Hindu: Actor Nana Patekar passes away at 75 (8 October 2026)
• The Indian Express: Hours before death, Nana Patekar messaged friend at 2:30 am he was unwell (8 October 2026)
• The Times of India: Nana Patekar’s mortal remains brought to Pune for state funeral (8 October 2026)
• Variety: Nana Patekar, Indian Star of Parinda and Krantiveer, Dies at 75 (8 October 2026)
• The Independent: Veteran Bollywood star and Parinda actor Nana Patekar dies at 75 (8 October 2026)
• Press Information Bureau, Prime Minister’s Office: Prime Minister condoles the passing away of Shri Nana Patekar Ji (8 October 2026)
• PTI: Nana Patekar’s demise great loss to Indian cinema: President Murmu (8 October 2026)