'There was only one Nana Patekar': Bollywood mourns legendary actor

Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar died on Thursday at the age of 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa, bringing an end to a career that spanned nearly five decades across Hindi and Marathi cinema.

Patekar was found unconscious at his home in Dona Paula and was taken to a private hospital. Doctors attempted to revive him with CPR for around 45 minutes, but he could not be saved.

He was declared dead at around 5:20am, according to hospital sources. His son, Malhar Patekar, confirmed the death to The Indian Express, saying his father had died of natural causes.

The actor's death prompted an immediate wave of tributes from colleagues and fellow performers, many of whom remembered him not only for his unmistakable voice and intensity but also for the individuality he brought to every role.

Actor Akshay Kumar, who worked with Patekar in Welcome and Housefull 5, said he was “really saddened” by the news.

“He was one of those rare actors who never needed to do too much to make you sit up and watch. That voice, that intensity, that honesty in every performance… he was completely his own. I feel fortunate that we got to work together in Welcome, and then again more recently in Housefull 5. There are so many memories from those sets that I’ll always hold close," he said.

Kumar continued, "Nana ji was truly one of a kind. It’s hard to believe you’re gone. Thank you for all the memories. You will be missed more than words can say".

Manisha Koirala, who shared the screen with Patekar in Khamoshi: The Musical and Agni Sakshi, remembered him as “a remarkable presence and a true stalwart of the craft.”

“His contribution to cinema and his dedication to his craft will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace.” Koirala wrote in a tribute shared on X.

Actor Urmila Matondkar, who worked with Patekar in Bhoot, said she was “devastated beyond words” and described him as a “great patriarch of Marathi theatre” and an “awesome human being”. “What do you even write about someone who can never be captured in words,” she wrote on X.

Riteish Deshmukh also mourned Patekar, saying he was shocked “beyond words” by the actor's death.

He called him an incomparable performer who could play everything from a larger-than-life hero and terrifying villain to a poker-faced comic character. He also recalled Patekar's generosity, wisdom and the conversations they shared.

Several other names from the film industry also expressed grief.

Paresh Rawal described Patekar as “insanely honest and intense”, while Manoj Bajpayee remembered the actor's journey as an inspiration for aspiring performers trying to find their place in Mumbai's film industry.

Randeep Hooda recalled first seeing Patekar in Parinda and said he did not feel he was watching an actor but “a real person”. Hooda described him as “honest, fearless and always true to himself”.

Suniel Shetty, meanwhile, remembered Patekar as “fiercely honest” and “a master of your craft”, writing that “there was only one Nana” and that Indian cinema would not be the same without him.

Kamal Haasan also paid tribute, calling Patekar “an extraordinary artist and an even greater human being” while highlighting his work beyond cinema, including his support for farmers in Maharashtra.

Patekar made his film debut with Gaman in 1978 and went on to become one of the most distinctive performers in Indian cinema.

His breakthrough came with films such as Parinda, for which he won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. He subsequently delivered acclaimed performances in Prahaar, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Khamoshi: The Musical, Ab Tak Chhappan, Apaharan, Rajneeti and the Marathi film Natsamrat.

He also demonstrated a lighter side in mainstream entertainers, most notably as the volatile gangster Uday Shetty in Welcome, a performance that introduced his distinctive comic timing to a new generation of audiences.

Over his career, Patekar won three National Film Awards and was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honours. He worked not only as an actor but also as a director and writer.

He leaves behind a body of work marked by raw emotion, memorable dialogue delivery and an ability to disappear into characters. For generations of Indian film audiences, his performances remain among the most recognisable examples of intensity and authenticity on screen.