The Indian film fraternity and sports world are in mourning today following the passing of veteran actor Nana Patekar. The 75-year-old icon passed away on Thursday morning at 5:20 am after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence. Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Department of Oncology at Manipal Hospital, confirmed that despite an extensive 45-minute CPR attempt, the actor remained in asystole.
Former Indian cricket captain Ajinkya Rahane took to X to share his condolences, remembering the star as a truly remarkable talent. “Nana Patekar ji was a truly remarkable actor whose work has inspired and entertained generations. Very sad to hear about his passing. May his soul rest in peace,” Rahane wrote. Joining him in the tributes, cricketer Shikhar Dhawan also honored the late actor, noting that Indian cinema has lost a special talent whose legacy will continue to influence future generations.
Nana Patekar leaves behind an indelible mark on both Hindi and Marathi cinema. Starting his journey with the 1978 film Gaman, he rose to prominence with power-packed performances in cult classics including Parinda, Prahar, Angaar, Krantiveer, Tiranga, Khamoshi, and Ab Tak Chhappan. His dedication to the craft remained unwavering even in his later years, as he continued to be an active force in the industry.
At the time of his passing, the legendary actor was involved in several high-profile projects. He was part of the ensemble cast for Housefull 5, alongside Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh. Additionally, he had recently appeared as a police officer in Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo with Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, and had also completed a cameo appearance in the Anil Kapoor and Radhika Madan starrer, Subedar.