Bollywood actor Nana Patekar passes away

Panaji: Veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away on Thursday after suffering a severe cardiac arrest at his residence. He was 75.

Despite 45 minutes of continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the actor could not be revived, said Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital. A medico-legal case (MLC) has been registered, and a post-mortem examination will be conducted, he added.

Born Vishwanath Patekar on January 1, 1951, in Maharashtra, Nana Patekar built a career spanning Hindi and Marathi cinema, establishing himself as one of India's most distinctive performers. He began his film career with Gaman in 1978 and went on to deliver acclaimed performances across dramas, crime films, comedies and character-driven roles.

Patekar was known for his intense screen presence and dialogue delivery, with films such as Ankush, Parinda, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Ab Tak Chhappan, Natsamrat and Welcome among the prominent titles in his career. He also appeared in Tamil cinema, including Rajinikanth's Kaala.

His performance in Krantiveer earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contribution to the arts.

Patekar also worked behind the camera as a director and writer. His directorial credits include Prahaar: The Final Attack, in which he also acted and contributed to the screenplay and dialogue. His work extended beyond mainstream Hindi cinema to Marathi films and theatre.

His recent credits included Vanvaas, Housefull 5 and O' Romeo, while he had also continued to be associated with upcoming projects.

Patekar's death marks the loss of a veteran performer whose career spanned nearly five decades and included some of the most memorable character performances in Indian cinema.