Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar has died at the age of 75 in Goa. He was admitted to a hospital after being found unconscious at his home in the early hours of Thursday. Despite 45 minutes of continuous CPR, he could not be revived. Patekar was known for his intense, fiery performances on stage and in film, and was one of the most recognisable faces of Indian cinema.
Patekar won three National Film Awards and was known for playing difficult and often volatile characters. He was a prominent figure in Marathi language cinema and theatre, and made his debut with the film Gaman in 1978. He continued to play smaller roles in several films, but his intensity on screen was hard to miss, and he soon landed a role in Parinda in 1989, making him a household name across India.
Tributes have poured in from actors and politicians across India, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised Patekar's versatility and outspoken personality. Bollywood veteran Anupam Kher paid tribute to his friend on social media, saying he would miss his warmth and extraordinary performances. Another Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan called him "a mentor, a teacher, a critic and a friend".
Patekar's portrayal of characters would "remain etched in the memory of generations", Modi wrote on X, adding that his death had left "a vast void in the artistic world". Akshay Kumar, who appeared alongside Patekar in the comedy film Welcome, remembered him as a rare performer whose voice, intensity and honesty could command an audience's attention.
Patekar's career showcased the wide range of his work, playing contrasting roles, such as a notorious gangster or a policeman, with equal ease. He also sometimes worked behind the camera as a director and writer, and his three national awards for Parinda, Krantiveer and Agni Sakshi are a testament to his wide-ranging career.
Patekar was an influential figure in both Marathi and Hindi theatre, and was involved in theatre before making his film debut. He developed his gritty dialogue delivery and mastered the intensity he brought to his on-screen characters. Purush and Hamidabai Chi Kothi were two of his most famous plays, and he remained active in theatre throughout his professional life.
Patekar was known for his activism and didn't mince his words while criticising the government of the day. He was direct, and almost brazen and unapologetic, when it came to criticising ministers and their policies. His work went beyond just giving statements, and in 2015 he and actor Makarand Anaspure established the Naam Foundation, which has worked on farmer welfare and water conservation in Maharashtra.
Key points
- Nana Patekar, a veteran Indian actor, has died at the age of 75 in Goa.
- Patekar was known for his intense performances in film and theatre, and won three National Film Awards.
- Tributes have poured in from actors and politicians across India, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
