NEW DELHI / GOA — Tributes have poured in from across the country following the tragic demise of veteran actor, director, and social crusader Nana Patekar, who passed away early Thursday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest in Goa at the age of 75.
Medical staff at Manipal Hospital reported that the acclaimed actor was brought to the emergency department in an unresponsive state after falling ill at his Goa residence. Doctors performed 45 minutes of continuous CPR in an effort to revive him, but he showed no response and was declared dead at 5:20 AM. A post-mortem examination is being conducted following standard medico-legal procedures.
PM Modi Leads Condolences, Praises ‘Unmistakable Presence’
Leading the nation in honoring the legendary actor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a heartfelt tribute on X, emphasizing Patekar’s immense contribution to both Hindi and Marathi cinema and highlighting his rare authenticity.
“Few actors possessed the intensity, individuality and unmistakable presence that Shri Nana Patekar Ji had. He brought remarkable versatility and creativity to every role and gave us characters that will be remembered for generations,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister also lauded Patekar’s fearless persona off-screen, noting that he was widely respected for his “frank and forthright views, never hesitating to express what he believed in,” before concluding that his passing leaves a “deep void” in Indian culture.
Political Leaders and Chief Ministers Express Heartfelt Grief
The news of Patekar’s demise resonated deeply across political and civic spectrums:
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Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant remembered Patekar not only as a titan of Indian cinema, but as a cherished personal friend who frequently reached out during his visits to Goa.
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Union Minister Nitin Gadkari paid tribute to their close, decades-long personal bond, highlighting Patekar’s groundbreaking social work through the Naam Foundation in water conservation and rural farmer assistance.
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State Leaders, including West Bengal leader Suvendu Adhikari and Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, hailed his unforgettable screen legacy in films such as ‘Parinda’, ‘Krantiveer’, ‘Prahaar’, and ‘Ab Tak Chhappan’.
Film Industry Bids Farewell to an Unmatched Talent
Within the film fraternity, colleagues expressed profound sorrow over the loss of a multi-talented force who mastered gritty realism, high drama, and iconic comedy alike.
Actor Riteish Deshmukh, who co-starred with him in multiple projects, described the loss as a crushing blow: “An actor par excellence, incomparable to anyone, he carved his place in people’s hearts with his own unique style… Truly, the end of an era.” Prominent actors Prakash Raj and Ravi Kishan also shared moving personal memories of Patekar’s simplicity, guidance, and generous spirit.
Patekar’s son, Malhar Patekar, has traveled from Pune to Goa to join family members. Arrangements for his final rites are expected to be announced following the completion of medical formalities.
