Nana Patekar dies at 75: 7 must-watch films to remember the veteran actor

Some actors disappear into a character. Nana Patekar made the character impossible to ignore. For decades, his voice, intensity and unmistakable screen presence made even supporting roles linger long after the film ended.

Patekar died at the age of 75 on Thursday after suffering a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa.

Born Vishwanath Patekar, the actor built a career across Hindi and Marathi cinema, theatre and even direction. He made his Hindi film debut with Gaman in 1978 and later emerged as one of the most formidable performers of his generation. He won National Film Awards for Parinda, Krantiveer and Agni Sakshi, and was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013.

For audiences wanting to revisit the actor's extraordinary range, these seven films offer a starting point.

Parinda (1989) | The terrifying Anna

Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Parinda gave Patekar one of the roles that came to define his career. As Anna, a ruthless underworld don, he was chilling without relying on conventional theatrics.

The film's dark atmosphere and Patekar's unpredictable performance made Anna one of the memorable villains of Hindi cinema. Patekar won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for the role.

Prahaar: The Final Attack (1991)

Prahaar revealed another side of Patekar. He directed the film and played the central role of Major Chowdhary, a disciplined army officer.

The actor underwent military training for the role, reflecting the seriousness with which he approached his characters. The film remains an important entry in his career not only as an actor but also as a filmmaker.

Krantiveer (1994) | Raw anger on screen

If there was one performance that captured Patekar's ability to turn anger into cinema, it was Krantiveer.

As Pratap Narayan Tilak, he played a troubled man who transforms into a crusader against corruption and injustice. His performance won the National Film Award for Best Actor and became one of his signature roles.

Agni Sakshi (1996) | The darker side of Patekar

Patekar took on a deeply disturbing character in Agni Sakshi, playing Vishwanath, an obsessive and abusive husband.

The film allowed him to explore a character driven by possession, insecurity and violence. His performance earned him another National Film Award, this time for Best Supporting Actor.

Ab Tak Chhappan (2004) | The uncompromising cop

As police officer Sadhu Agashe in Ab Tak Chhappan, Patekar brought his trademark intensity to the role of an encounter specialist.

But the performance worked because he did not play the character as a conventional action hero. His restrained portrayal gave the film a harder edge, raising questions about violence, duty and the price of policing.

Welcome (2007) | When Nana made audiences laugh

Patekar's range was perhaps most visible when he switched from intense dramas to broad comedy.

In Welcome, he played Uday Shetty, an underworld don whose desperation to get his sister married creates much of the film's chaos. Paired with Anil Kapoor's Majnu Bhai, Patekar delivered a performance filled with comic timing, expressions and unforgettable dialogue delivery.

For an actor so strongly associated with serious roles, Welcome remains a reminder that Patekar could command a comedy just as easily.

Natsamrat (2016) | A performance of ageing and loss

In Natsamrat, Patekar played Ganpatrao Belwalkar, a legendary stage actor forced to confront life after retirement.

The Marathi film is a deeply emotional examination of ageing, family, pride and the loss of an identity built around performance. Patekar's portrayal gave the character both theatrical grandeur and human vulnerability, making it one of the most acclaimed performances of his later career.