Nana Patekar: Veteran actor dies in Goa aged 75 after cardiac arrest

Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar has died at his home in Goa at the age of 75, following a sudden cardiac arrest.

The Maharashtra government announced on Thursday that the actor, celebrated for his fierce screen presence and decades of work on stage and screen, will be accorded a state funeral with full honours.

How Nana Patekar died in Goa

Details of his final hours emerged from doctors at Manipal Hospital in Dona Paula, Goa, where Patekar was rushed early on Thursday morning.

According to Dr Shekhar Salkar, the chief of oncology at the hospital, Patekar had sent a text message to a friend at around 2:30 am stating that he was feeling uncomfortable and had "pain on the left side". Because it was the middle of the night, the friend did not see the message immediately.

By the time the friend reached Patekar's residence at around 4 am, the actor was gasping and sweating. A caretaker was dispatched to the nearby hospital to fetch an ambulance, and medical teams began performing CPR at the house.

Patekar was transported to the hospital under continuous CPR, but doctors were unable to revive him. Dr Salkar said the actor was "brought dead" to the facility at around 4:20 am. After emergency teams spent another 45 minutes trying to resuscitate him, Patekar was officially declared dead at 5:20 am.

His family was not in Goa at the time but has been notified. A medico-legal case has been registered, and his body has been moved to Goa Medical College for a post-mortem examination.

A state funeral in Maharashtra

Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar confirmed that the state would honour the actor with full military rites.

"Considering the unparalleled contribution of actor Nana Patekar to Marathi plays as well as Marathi and Hindi cinema, we have decided to conduct his last rites with full state honours," Shelar said. He added that the actor's passing is a "profound loss for the world of art," remembering his journey from the town of Yeola to national prominence.

Tributes to a versatile career

Tributes have poured in from both the political sphere and the film industry. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan expressed deep grief, calling Patekar an exceptional actor who brought remarkable depth to his roles. Kalyan highlighted his performances in films like Krantiveer, Parinda, Khamoshi, and Ab Tak Chhappan, while also praising Patekar's prior service and association with the Indian Army.

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed his condolences online, writing that Patekar's "versatile performances will always be remembered."

Patekar, who was awarded the Padma Shri during his lifetime, had remained active. Just days before his death, on 4 October, he had spoken as the chief guest at a local community event in Goa. His recent film commitments included roles in Housefull 5, Vishal Bhardwaj's O'Romeo, and a cameo appearance in Subedar.