Nana Patekar Dies At 75: Maharashtra Announces State Funeral, Anupam Kher, PM Modi Pay Tribute

Entertainment

oi-Swastika Sruti

Veteran actor Nana Patekar, one of the most distinctive and respected names in Hindi and Marathi cinema, died at the age of 75 on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The actor was found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, in the early hours of the morning after complaining of discomfort and chest pain.

He was taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors tried to revive him for nearly 45 minutes. He was declared dead at around 5:20 am. Hospital authorities have described the incident as a suspected cardiac arrest, while a post-mortem has been ordered to establish the exact cause of death.

The news has sent shockwaves through the Indian film industry, with actors, political leaders and fans remembering Patekar for his powerful performances, distinctive voice, direct personality and social work.

Maharashtra To Give Nana Patekar State Funeral

Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar announced that the Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, will accord Nana Patekar a state funeral.

NANA PATEKAR THE GREATEST?💔💔A couple of hours ago, I received the heartbreaking news that my friend Nana Patekar, one of the finest actors and human beings in Indian cinema, is no more.🥹🥹🥹I had just finished our performance and taken the curtain call. As I walked into the wings, my director Gajendra told me, “Nana is no more.”🥹After that, I had to meet people, pose for photographs, smile, sit down for a meal… while trying to absorb what I had just heard. It was terribly difficult.But somewhere, I felt that Nana would have wanted me to finish my work. Fulfil my responsibility to the people who had come to see us. And then, perhaps, remember him.Actually, knowing him, I can almost hear him dismissing the very idea of a tribute: “अरे, तो क्या हो गया? मर गया तो कौन-सी बड़ी बात है? सभी मरते हैं!”That was Nana. Direct, unpretentious, with his own way of saying even the most difficult things.❤️‍🩹I will miss you, my friend. Your warmth. Your hugs. Your extraordinary performances. And whenever I miss seeing you, I will watch your films. Though today, I wish I could simply hug you one more time.My love and deepest condolences to your family and to everyone who loved you. अलविदा मेरे दोस्त, नाना पाटेकर। बहुत सारा प्यार। 🙏💔 #NanaPatekar #HeartBreaking

— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) October 8, 2026

The decision recognises his contribution to Marathi theatre as well as Marathi and Hindi cinema. Patekar was not only an acclaimed actor but also a Padma Shri recipient and a three-time National Film Award winner.

His contribution also extended beyond films. Through the Naam Foundation, which he co-founded with actor Makarand Anaspure, Patekar worked for farmers and rural communities, particularly in areas affected by drought and agrarian distress.

#NanaPatekar नाना, आपकी आत्मा को शांति मिले!भारत के नागरिकों के लिए उनका अमर संदेश हमेशा जीवित रहेगा। ज़रूर सुनें। https://t.co/aVwc3GnJPZ

— Rahul Shakya (@RahulShakya90) October 8, 2026

From ‘Gaman’ To ‘Natsamrat’ And ‘Welcome’

Vishwanath Patekar, also known as Nana Patekar, made his debut on the film scene with the movie Gaman, which came out in the year 1978.

Nana’s award-winning performances were shown in movies like Parinda, Krantiveer, Prahaar: The Final Attack, Khamoshi: The Musical, Yeshwant, Wajood, Ab Tak Chhappan and Natsamrat.

There was yet another face of his performance skills that he displayed playing the character of Uday Shetty in the movie Welcome. His portrayal of the criminal with a humorous twist became highly successful and he reprised his role in Welcome Back.
His other films include Housefull 5.

#WATCH | Goa: Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department, Manipal Hospital, says, “Nana Patekar was brought dead to the hospital… he was declared dead by 5:30 am. We had tried our best to save him, but he was brought dead. Cardiac massage was given for almost 45 minutes to an hour, but he just could not be saved. As per what we recalled, at around 2:30, he sent a message to his friend that he was not feeling well. But as it was nighttime, his friend could not see the message. So he just called him. He went to his house at around 4 oclock. By that time, he was sweating and all. They moved him, all those primary things. But he was slowly becoming unconscious… So they sent his caretaker to the hospital… He took our ambulance. When our ER team went there, they started cardiac massage because he was totally unresponsive… They shifted him to our hospital at around 4:20 or 4:30 am. We also tried our best, but he was brought dead. Then we had to file a police case because theres an MLC (medico-legal case). The body has now been taken to the Goa Medical College for post-mortem. His family was not there. His friends were there with him and a caretaker.”

— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2026

Nana Patekar has won three National Film Awards and was honored with the Padma Shri in 2013.

PM Modi Remembers His ‘Intensity’ And ‘Unmistakable Presence’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned Patekar’s death and remembered him as an actor whose performances remained unforgettable.

“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,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister also recalled Patekar’s forthright personality, saying he was admired for his frank views and never hesitated to express what he believed.

“Shri Nana Patekar’s contribution to Hindi and Marathi cinema was immense. His passing leaves a deep void. My condolences to his family, friends and countless admirers. Om Shanti,” Modi said.

Anupam Kher Remembers A Dear Friend

Actor Anupam Kher shared an emotional tribute to Patekar, remembering him not just as a great performer but also as a close friend.

Kher recalled receiving the news immediately after completing a performance. He said he had just taken the curtain call when his director, Gajendra, told him, “Nana is no more.”
Kher said he then had to continue with his professional responsibilities while trying to process the shocking news.

He remembered Patekar’s personality and imagined how the actor himself might have reacted to a tribute.

“Arey toh kya ho gaya? Mar gaya toh kaun si badi baat hai? Sabhi marte hai,” Kher recalled, translating it as: “There is no big deal if I am dead. Everyone dies.”
Describing Patekar as direct and unpretentious, Kher added that he would miss his friend’s warmth, hugs and extraordinary performances.

“I will miss you, my friend. Your warmth. Your hugs. Your extraordinary performances,” Kher wrote, adding that he would watch Patekar’s films whenever he missed him.

Mithun Chakraborty Calls Him One Of His Closest Friends

Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty also mourned Patekar’s death and remembered the personal bond they shared.

“I am deeply saddened because he was one of my closest friends,” Mithun said.
He also spoke about Patekar’s habit of helping people and addressed the perception that the actor had a quick temper.

“He used to help so many people,” Mithun said.

Addressing comments about Patekar’s anger, he added, “People used to say he had a quick temper or acted out, but anger only arises when things aren’t organised-after all, even I get angry then. If things are organised, why would there be any anger?”

Mithun said their friendship went beyond their work in films.

“Our friendship went beyond movies; we got along very well regardless of that,” he said.

Nana Patekar Had Once Spoken About His Own Death

In an old interview during the promotion of The Vaccine War in September 2023, Patekar had spoken candidly about death.

The actor said he believed in death and understood that everyone eventually had to leave. He even spoke about the arrangements he had thought about for his own cremation.
Patekar had said: “I have kept 12 maunds of wood for myself, not even one of them is wet.”

The remark, made years before his death, has now resurfaced and taken on a deeply emotional meaning for his fans.

President Murmu Pays Tribute To Veteran Actor

President Droupadi Murmu also expressed grief over Patekar’s death.
She remembered his powerful and evocative performances and said he brought a wide range of human experiences to the screen.

“Deeply saddened by the passing of veteran actor Shri Nana Patekar. Through his powerful and deeply evocative performances, he brought to life a wide range of human experiences,” Murmu said.

She added that Patekar had created characters that left a lasting impression on audiences and also highlighted his commitment to social service.

“His passing is a great loss to Indian cinema. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and admirers,” she said.

A Legacy That Goes Beyond Cinema

Nana Patekar’s career cannot be measured only by the number of films he acted in. His distinctive dialogue delivery, intense performances and ability to move between serious drama and comedy made him one of the most recognisable actors in Indian cinema.

Away from the screen, his work with farmers and rural communities added another dimension to his public life. His association with the Naam Foundation brought attention to drought, water conservation and the struggles faced by farming families in Maharashtra.
From Parinda and Krantiveer to Natsamrat and Welcome, Patekar left behind characters that continue to remain part of popular culture.

With Maharashtra now announcing a state funeral, the actor’s final farewell will also mark recognition of a career that connected Marathi theatre, regional cinema and mainstream Bollywood.