Nana Patekar Dies at 75 After Cardiac Arrest at His Goa Homeਨਾਨਾ ਪਾਟੇਕਰ ਦਾ ਦਿਹਾਂਤ: 75 ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਿਲ ਦੇ ਦੌਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਮੌਤ

Veteran actor Nana Patekar, among the most intense and widely respected performers of Indian cinema, died in the early hours of Thursday, October 8, after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Goa. He was 75. The news, first carried by news agency ANI and leading outlets, sent shockwaves through the film fraternity.

What happened in Goa?

Patekar was found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors worked for about 45 minutes to revive him but could not. He was declared dead at about 5:20 am on Thursday, according to reports quoting Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital. A medico-legal case has been registered and a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted. As of early Thursday, the actor's family had not issued a statement.

Five decades of unforgettable roles

Born Vishwanath Patekar on January 1, 1951, in Murud-Janjira in Maharashtra's Raigad district, Nana Patekar made his film debut with Gaman in 1978 and went on to act in more than 60 films across Hindi and Marathi cinema. He became known for a commanding screen presence, a distinctive voice and performances of unusual intensity — from the gangster Anna in Parinda and the fiery Pratap Narayan Tilak in Krantiveer to the trigger-happy encounter specialist in Ab Tak Chhappan and the comic Uday Shetty in Welcome. His performance in Krantiveer won him the National Film Award for Best Actor. In all, he received three National Film Awards and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contribution to Indian cinema and the arts. As a director, his first film was Prahaar (1991), in which he also starred.

A life beyond the screen

Off screen, Patekar cultivated a reputation for simplicity and plain speaking. He served as an honorary lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army and, through the Naam Foundation, worked for drought-hit farmers in Maharashtra. He remained active on screen late into his career, recently appearing in Housefull 5 and the series Sankalp.

How did Nana Patekar die?

He suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Dona Paula, Goa. He was found unconscious, rushed to hospital, and doctors could not revive him despite about 45 minutes of CPR; he was declared dead around 5:20 am on October 8.

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 landmark roles include Parinda, Prahaar, Tirangaa, Krantiveer — which won him the National Film Award for Best Actor — Agni Sakshi, Ab Tak Chhappan, Natsamrat and Welcome.