Nana Patekar, Hindi and Marathi Film Star, Dies at 75 After Cardiac Arrest in Goa

Nana Patekar, the National Award-winning actor whose work spanned theatre and Hindi and Marathi cinema for more than four decades, died early Thursday in Goa. He was 75.

He suffered a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula. He was found unconscious and rushed to Manipal Hospital, according to Dr Shekhar Salkar, chief of the hospital's Department of Oncology.

Salkar said Patekar was brought in at about 4:20 a.m. and that doctors performed CPR for roughly 45 minutes. He was declared dead at around 5:20 a.m.

According to Salkar, the actor remained in asystole, meaning no electrical activity in the heart, throughout the resuscitation attempt.

The hospital registered a medico-legal case, which Salkar said is required when a patient arrives dead. The body was sent to Goa Medical College for a post-mortem. A medico-legal case is a procedural step, and nobody has suggested foul play.

Patekar's son, Malhar, told the Indian Express his father died of natural causes. He said he was travelling from Pune to Goa and that a fuller statement would follow.

On Sunday, October 4, Patekar was chief guest at the installation ceremony of Samraat Club International in Dona Paula. Former MP Narendra Sawaikar said the actor "spoke fearlessly and frankly" and "took jibes and also gave some from his own pocket."

Patekar also joined a local troupe in playing the shamel, a traditional Goan percussion instrument, and performed the dekhni dance.

On stage, he spoke about his friend, the late former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. "He was younger than me, but his stature was such that you had to look up to him," Patekar said.

Then he turned to his own life. "We all have to go someday. I don't know whether I will be here tomorrow or not," he said. "But before that happens, I have to ask myself: am I able to do what I want to do?"

He pushed the audience to look past their own households. "If my world is limited to my children, my wife and my home, then what is my purpose? I have to give something back here, don't I?" Sawaikar quoted him separately as saying: "Serve as much as you can. After all, what are we going to take with us when we leave."

The speech also touched on politics. Patekar said it is possible to agree with parts of a leader's agenda and reject others. "I like some of Narendra Modi's ideas and I don't like some of them. We should learn to say that. He does not always get everything wrong."

He described protest as a basic human reaction to something that feels wrong, but argued that public disagreement needs limits. "When we speak publicly, there has to be some basic decency," he said.

Modi has since mourned the actor, recalling his "intensity, individuality and unmistakable presence." Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said he was "shocked and deeply saddened."

Patekar debuted in film with Gaman in 1978. He became known for hard-edged roles in Parinda, Krantiveer, Prahaar and Ab Tak Chhappan, and he showed comic timing in Welcome.

He stayed active to the end. He had completed work on Vishal Bhardwaj's upcoming O Romeo and on Housefull 5.

Actors including Akshay Kumar, Jr NTR, Kangana Ranaut, Suniel Shetty, Arjun Rampal and Boman Irani have paid tribute.

The post-mortem at Goa Medical College is pending, and Malhar Patekar has promised a fuller family statement. Outlook India reports the funeral will be held in Pune with full state honours. Neither the Maharashtra nor Goa government has published a schedule.