Nana Patekar Passes Away at 75: A Thespian, A Humanitarian, An Era Ends

Indian cinema has lost one of its fiercest talents. Veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away in the early hours of Thursday, October 8, 2026, at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa. He was 75. According to PTI, Patekar messaged a friend around 2:30 am saying he felt unwell. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors performed CPR for 45 minutes but could not revive him. He was declared dead at 5:10 am; a heart attack is suspected. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the actor’s funeral will be held with full state honours.

Tributes poured in through the morning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered his ‘remarkable versatility and creativity,’ while President Droupadi Murmu called his passing ‘a great loss to Indian cinema.’ Rajinikanth wrote, ‘I can’t believe my dear friend is no longer with us.’ Sunny Deol, Virat Kohli, Pankaj Tripathi and Ram Gopal Varma — who called him ‘the GOD of acting’ — also paid their respects. Born Vishwanath Patekar in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra, Nana debuted with Gaman (1978) and broke through with Parinda (1989), winning the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. Krantiveer, Khamoshi: The Musical, Welcome and Prahaar followed, along with the Padma Shri in 2013. Off screen, his Naam Foundation worked tirelessly for drought-hit farmers. Om Shanti.

(Sources: PTI, Bollywood Hungama)