Nana Patekar dies at 75 after cardiac arrest in Goa
Bollywood actor Nana Patekar dies at 75: the veteran star suffered a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, on Thursday, October 8, 2026. He was found unconscious at home and rushed to Manipal Hospital, where doctors performed CPR for about 45 minutes but could not revive him. He was declared dead at 5:20am.
Nana Patekar dies: what we know so far
Dr Shekhar Salkar, chief of the oncology department at Manipal Hospital, confirmed that Patekar could not be revived despite continuous CPR, news agency ANI reported. A medico-legal case has been registered, and a post-mortem will be conducted.
There was no word from the family in the hours after the announcement. Patekar’s last public appearance came four days earlier, on October 4, when he addressed the installation ceremony of the Samraat Club International in Dona Paula, according to pictures shared by news agency PTI.
A career across four decades
Born Vishwanath Patekar on January 1, 1951, in Murud-Janjira in Maharashtra’s Raigad district, he made his film debut with Gaman in 1978. Over the next four decades he built a reputation for intense, realistic performances and a distinctive dialogue delivery that set him apart in Hindi and Marathi cinema.
His best-known films include Parinda, Prahaar, Tirangaa, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Khamoshi: The Musical, Ab Tak Chhappan, Natsamrat and Welcome. His performance in Krantiveer won him the National Film Award for Best Actor. Across his career he received three National Film Awards, and in 2013 he was honoured with the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema and the arts.
Beyond the screen
Patekar also worked as a filmmaker and stayed close to theatre. His directorial debut, Prahaar (1991), won him a wide following. Away from cinema, he served in the Territorial Army, joining as a captain in 1988, serving with the Maratha Light Infantry during the Kargil War in 1999, and retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 2013.
He was also known for social work, particularly initiatives supporting farmers and communities facing hardship in Maharashtra.
What happens next
A post-mortem examination is expected following the registration of the medico-legal case. Details of his last rites and funeral arrangements were awaited. Tributes began pouring in from across the Indian film industry as news of his death spread on Thursday morning.
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FAQs
How did Nana Patekar die?
He suffered a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, on October 8, 2026. He was found unconscious, rushed to Manipal Hospital, and declared dead at 5:20am after about 45 minutes of CPR.
How old was Nana Patekar?
He was 75. He was born Vishwanath Patekar on January 1, 1951, in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra.
Which films was Nana Patekar known for?
His best-known work includes Parinda, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Ab Tak Chhappan, Natsamrat and Welcome. Krantiveer won him the National Film Award for Best Actor, and he received three National Film Awards in total plus the Padma Shri in 2013.
