Veteran actor Nana Patekar died at the age of 75 after suffering a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, during the early hours of Thursday, October 8, 2026. Medical teams attempted resuscitation before pronouncing him dead at Manipal Hospital.
Emergency Response at the Goa Residence and Hospital Declaration
The actor was found unresponsive at his apartment in Dona Paula, Goa, after experiencing severe chest pain. According to information shared by his son, Malhar Patekar, a medical team was dispatched to the property.
Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, detailed the medical intervention.
He was in unresponsive state when the medical team was called at home. The team found him in unconscious state and he gave CPR for almost 45 minutes to 1 hour. He was declared dead at 5:20 am.
Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Chief of Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital
A medico-legal case was registered by authorities, and his body was sent to Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim for a post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death.
Final Public Appearance and Public Reflections on Mortality
Four days before his death, the actor made his last public appearance on October 4 while addressing the Samraat Club International installation ceremony in Dona Paula.
During that appearance, he spoke publicly about life and mortality, reflecting on his work and the limited time available to accomplish personal goals.
We all have to go someday. I don’t know whether I will be here tomorrow or not. Every person’s life will eventually reach that point. But before that happens, I have to ask myself: am I able to do what I want to do?
Nana Patekar
Vishwanath Patekar Built a Diverse Career in Cinema and Theatre
Born as Vishwanath Patekar in 1951 in Maharashtra, he built a career that stretched across Hindi and Marathi cinema, theatre, and filmmaking. He made his debut in the 1978 drama Gaman after studying art at the Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai.
His filmography encompassed intense dramas, menacing villain roles, and mainstream comedy. He was also honored with the Padma Shri in 2013.
Early in his life, financial necessity from a collapse in his family’s fortunes required him to work while still attending school, earning ₹35 a month and a meal a day starting at age 13 by working on cinema posters and serving as a commercial artist and visualiser before transitioning to theatre.
His critical acclaim expanded through early features like Govind Nihalani’s Ardh Satya, Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay!, and Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Parinda, where he played the volatile gangster Anna Seth.
He further demonstrated his range in subsequent decades through acclaimed crime dramas and thrillers, including portraying police officer Sadhu Agashe in Ab Tak Chhappan, a morally complex politician in Apaharan, and a retired theatre actor dealing with ageing and loss in the celebrated Marathi film Natsamrat.
He later retired from the Territorial Army in 2013 as a lieutenant colonel.
Away from the spotlight, he was known as a hands-on father who encouraged his son Malhar Patekar to build an independent career, as well as a passionate farmer who cultivated wheat and rice to donate sale proceeds and sewing machines to families of farmers affected by hardship.
Industry Tributes from Co-Stars and Public Figures
Filmmakers, political leaders, and co-stars expressed shock and grief following the news of his death.
Fellow actors including Akshay Kumar, Prakash Raj, Kangana Ranaut, Nimrat Kaur, Khushbu Sundar, Siddharth Jadhav, Sonali Kulkarni, and Adil Hussain shared emotional tributes remembering his iconic legacy, intensity, culinary generosity, and monumental impact on Indian cinema.
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. Nana ji was truly one of a kind. It’s hard to believe you’re gone.
Akshay Kumar, Actor
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and political leaders like Harshwardhan Sapkal highlighted his sensitivity toward society and his extensive philanthropic efforts, including his work supporting rural communities and drought-affected farmers through the Naam Foundation.
His final film appearances included roles in Housefull 5 alongside Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh, Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’ Romeo starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, and a cameo in Subedaar alongside Anil Kapoor and Radhika Madan.