Indian actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar dies aged 75

Indian actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar died on October 8 at his residence in Goa. He was 75 years old. Al Jazeera, the Daily Express, and Variety all reported that Patekar suffered a cardiac arrest. The Daily Express and Variety reported that medical staff attempted to save him for 45 minutes before he was pronounced dead at 5:20 am local time. [1][2][3]

The Daily Express reported that Patekar complained of a headache while at home with his nephew, Prasad Patekar. His son, Malhar Patekar, traveled to Goa from Pune following the news. Citing the Press Trust of India news agency, Al Jazeera reported that Patekar was declared dead at the hospital, while Variety cited the ANI news agency regarding his cardiac arrest. [1][2][3]

Patekar was born Vishwanath Patekar in 1951 in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. Al Jazeera reported that his career spanned nearly five decades across Hindi and Marathi cinema. He was widely recognized for his intense performances and roles ranging from a menacing crime lord in Parinda to a comic gangster in Welcome, according to Variety. [1][3][8]

Patekar won three National Film Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Parinda and Agni Sakshi, and Best Actor for Krantiveer. He also received four Filmfare Awards and two Maharashtra State Film Awards. In 2013, he was awarded the Padma Shri, which is India's fourth highest civilian honor, for his contributions to cinema and the arts. [1][8][9]

Beyond his film career, Patekar founded the Naam Foundation to focus on farmer welfare, drought relief, and assistance to army families. He also served as a captain in the Territorial Army and contributed on the frontlines during the Kargil War in 1999. [9]