Mumbai: Veteran actor Nana Patekar had once spoken about death with the same matter-of-fact candour that marked many of his conversations, saying he was not afraid of dying and that one must leave when the time comes.

In a 2024 interview with The Indian Express, while discussing his impoverished childhood and his outlook on life, Patekar was asked about mortality. His response was simple: “I am not scared of death, jab nikalna hai nikalna hai” — whenever the time comes to leave, one will leave.

The remark has resurfaced following Patekar’s death at 75 on Thursday. Patekar had been speaking about how his difficult childhood shaped his understanding of life. He revealed that he started working at the age of 13, earned just Rs 35 a month and often had only one meal a day.

Patekar died at 5:20 am after suffering a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. Despite 45 minutes of continuous CPR, he could not be revived, Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, said. A medico-legal case has been registered and a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

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

Born Vishwanath Patekar, Nana Patekar built a career spanning nearly five decades across Hindi and Marathi cinema. He made his film debut with Gaman in 1978 and rose to prominence with films such as Salaam Bombay! and Parinda. His performance in Parinda earned him his first National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1990.

He went on to deliver some of the most memorable performances of his career in the 1990s. His portrayal in Krantiveer won him the National Film Award for Best Actor and a Filmfare Award, while his performances in Agni Sakshi and Khamoshi: The Musical further established his reputation as an actor capable of bringing intensity and emotional depth to complex characters.

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Patekar also turned director with Prahaar: The Final Attack in 1991, a film centred on the Indian Army. His later work included Ab Tak Chhappan, Apaharan and Raajneeti, showcasing his range across crime dramas, political thrillers and socially driven films.

At the same time, Patekar demonstrated a very different side of his acting with mainstream comedies. His portrayal of gangster Uday Shetty in Welcome became one of his most recognisable comic roles and introduced him to a younger generation of viewers. He reprised the character in Welcome Back.

His work in Marathi cinema remained equally important. His performance as the ageing theatre actor Ganpatrao Belwalkar in Natsamrat earned him widespread acclaim and the Zee Gaurav Award for Best Actor, while his performance in Dr. Prakash Baba Amte: The Real Hero won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor in the Marathi category.

Patekar was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013. Across his career, he won three National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards and two Filmfare Awards Marathi, making him one of the most decorated performers of his generation.