Punjab Newsline | Goa
Veteran actor Nana Patekar died at the age of 75 on Thursday morning after suffering a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa. He was declared dead at around 5:20 am. Doctors attempted to revive him with continuous CPR for nearly 45 minutes, but he could not be saved.
Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital in Goa, confirmed that Patekar had suffered a severe cardiac arrest at his home. A medico-legal case (MLC) has been registered, and a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted to establish the exact circumstances of his death.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the actor's demise, remembering his distinctive screen presence, versatility and creativity. Modi said Patekar gave audiences characters that would be remembered for generations and described his contribution to Hindi and Marathi cinema as immense.
A Celebrated Career in Hindi and Marathi Cinema
Born Vishwanath Patekar on January 1, 1951, in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra, Nana Patekar became one of Indian cinema's most respected and versatile performers. Besides acting, he also worked as a filmmaker, director and writer.
Patekar made his Hindi film debut with Gaman in 1978 and went on to work extensively in both Marathi and Hindi cinema. His performance in Mira Nair's Salaam Bombay! (1988) received widespread appreciation, while his role in Parinda (1989) proved to be a major turning point in his career. His performance in the film earned him the National Film Award and a Filmfare Award.
Over the course of his decades-long career, Patekar delivered memorable performances in films including Ankush, Pratighaat, Prahaar, Tirangaa, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Khamoshi: The Musical, Ab Tak Chhappan, Apaharan, Raajneeti, Welcome and Welcome Back.
Known for his intense performances and powerful dialogue delivery, Patekar successfully portrayed a wide range of characters, from serious dramatic roles to villains and comic characters. His distinctive acting style and commanding screen presence earned him a lasting place in Hindi and Marathi cinema.
