“Truly, the end of an era”: Co-stars mourn the death of actor Nana Patekar
Veteran actor Nana Patekar dies following a cardiac arrest at his residence. Co-stars Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh share emotional tributes.
The Indian film industry is in deep mourning following the sudden passing of veteran actor Nana Patekar. The legendary performer breathed his last at his residence on Thursday morning after suffering a fatal cardiac arrest, leaving behind a void in both Hindi and Marathi cinema that may never be filled.
According to Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Department of Oncology at Manipal Hospital, the actor suffered the cardiac arrest at approximately 5:20 am. Medical teams administered CPR for 45 minutes, but Patekar remained in asystole throughout the procedure. A medico-legal case has been completed, and a post-mortem examination is required.
Tributes pour in from Bollywood legends
As news of his demise spread, his contemporaries and co-stars took to social media to express their grief and honor his incomparable legacy.
Akshay Kumar, who shared the screen with Patekar in films like Welcome and the recent Housefull 5, expressed his profound sadness. "He was one of those rare actors who never needed to do too much to make you sit up and watch. That voice, that intensity, that honesty in every performance… he was completely his own," Kumar shared, noting that he felt fortunate to have worked with the veteran.
Riteish Deshmukh, who worked with Patekar in Bluffmaster! and Housefull 5, described the news as a massive shock. "Feels like a truck has hit me. Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Nana Patekar ji. An actor par excellence, incomparable to anyone," Deshmukh wrote. He also highlighted Patekar's philanthropic nature, calling him a "hero off screen" for his tireless charity work.
Actor Adil Hussain also shared his disbelief, stating he was woken by the news. "I cannot believe that Nana Patekar jee has passed! Your work has inspired many people including me," Hussain posted.
A legendary career spanning decades
Nana Patekar was a powerhouse of talent whose career was defined by versatility and a unique, commanding screen presence. He made his much-celebrated acting debut in the 1978 film Gaman and went on to deliver some of the most iconic performances in Indian cinema history.
His filmography includes a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies, such as:
- Parinda
- Prahar
- Angaar
- Krantiveer
- Tiranga
- Khamoshi
- Ab Tak Chhappan
Even in his later years, Patekar remained an active and vital part of the industry. He recently appeared in Housefull 5 alongside Akshay Kumar and Abhishek Bachchan, and was set to appear in Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo, starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri. He also had a cameo in the upcoming film Subedar, featuring Anil Kapoor.
At 75, Nana Patekar leaves behind a legacy of intense performances, unmatched dialogue delivery, and a reputation as an actor who could master any genre, from terrifying villains to nuanced comedic roles.