Mumbai, 8 October 2026
Indian cinema has lost one of its most distinctive and uncompromising artists. Veteran actor, filmmaker and theatre personality Nana Patekar passed away on Thursday at the age of 75 following a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. His death brings to an end a remarkable artistic journey spanning nearly five decades.
Nana Patekar, born Vishwanath Patekar, emerged from Marathi theatre and went on to become one of the most powerful and recognisable presences in Hindi and Marathi cinema. Beginning his film journey in the late 1970s, he established a reputation for performances marked by extraordinary intensity, emotional depth, realism and individuality.
His memorable work in films including Parinda, Krantiveer, Prahaar, Khamoshi, Salaam Bombay! and Natsamrat demonstrated his extraordinary range. He could portray anger, vulnerability, authority, humour and human suffering with equal conviction. His unmistakable voice and powerful dialogue delivery became part of the cultural memory of Indian cinema.
His contribution was recognised with three National Film Awards and the Padma Shri, among numerous other honours.
Statement from K. M. Anthru Foundation
K. M. Anthru Foundation expresses its profound grief at the passing of Nana Patekar, an extraordinary artist whose life represented the power of art to speak truth to society.
Nana Patekar was not merely an actor who performed characters. He was an artist who gave voice to the struggles, anger, dignity and contradictions of ordinary human beings. His performances carried an uncommon honesty, intensity and social consciousness.
For the K. M. Anthru Foundation, his legacy is particularly meaningful because he demonstrated that literature, theatre, cinema and art are not merely forms of entertainment; they are instruments of social reflection and human transformation.
His fearless individuality, his commitment to realism and his concern for people beyond the world of cinema made him much more than a celebrated performer. He represented an artistic conscience that refused to remain silent.
The Foundation pays its deepest respects to Nana Patekar — the artist, the thinker, the theatre personality and the human being.
His voice has fallen silent, but the questions he raised, the characters he created and the emotions he awakened will continue to live in the collective memory of generations.
K. M. Anthru Foundation joins millions of admirers across India in mourning this irreparable loss and extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, fellow artists and admirers.
— K. M. Anthru Foundation
A Legacy Beyond Cinema
Nana Patekar’s influence extended beyond acting. He was known for his forthright views and his engagement with social issues. His association with rural and humanitarian initiatives further reflected his concern for people and society.
His death has prompted tributes across India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as an actor with rare intensity, individuality and an unmistakable presence, while recognising his immense contribution to Hindi and Marathi cinema.
For Maharashtra and for Indian cinema, his departure represents more than the loss of a celebrated actor. It is the loss of a voice that was difficult to imitate, an artistic temperament that resisted conformity, and a performer who brought an uncommon honesty to his craft.
Nana Patekar did not merely play characters.
He inhabited them.
His voice may now have fallen silent, but his characters, his questions and the intensity with which he lived his art will continue to speak to generations.
The stage has lost a formidable performer.
Cinema has lost an unforgettable presence.
India has lost a rare and uncompromising artist.