The Indian film fraternity is in mourning today following the passing of legendary actor Nana Patekar. The 75-year-old actor breathed his last at 5:20 am on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Mumbai residence. Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Department of Oncology at Manipal Hospital, confirmed the news, stating that medical teams attempted to revive the actor with CPR for 45 minutes, though he remained in asystole throughout the process. A medico-legal case has been completed, and authorities have indicated that a post-mortem examination is required.
Nana Patekar leaves behind a towering legacy in both Hindi and Marathi cinema. After making his debut in the 1978 film Gaman, he quickly rose to prominence as one of the most versatile and intense performers in the industry. He became a household name through iconic roles in celebrated films such as Parinda, Prahar, Angaar, Krantiveer, Tiranga, Khamoshi, and the cult classic Ab Tak Chhappan. His unique delivery and commanding screen presence set a benchmark for generations of actors who followed.
Even in his later years, the veteran remained a vibrant part of the film industry, balancing major commercial projects with diverse roles. He was recently involved in the highly anticipated Housefull 5, featuring an ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh. Additionally, he had recently appeared as a police officer in Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo alongside Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, and had also completed a cameo appearance in the Anil Kapoor and Radhika Madan starrer Subedar.