Veteran Indian cinema actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar dies at 75

Nana Patekar, the acclaimed Indian actor and filmmaker known for his intense screen presence and wide-ranging roles in Hindi and Marathi cinema, has died at age 75. His death was reported Thursday in Goa and was described by authorities and media accounts as a suspected cardiac arrest, marking the loss of one of Indian cinema’s most recognizable performers.

The death drew immediate public attention because Patekar was a major figure in both mainstream Bollywood and India’s more realist “parallel cinema” tradition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute, calling Patekar’s contribution to Hindi and Marathi cinema immense and saying his passing leaves a deep void. The prime minister’s office also said Patekar had brought versatility and creativity to every role.

Born in 1951 in Maharashtra, Patekar began his film career in the late 1970s and went on to work across nearly five decades. He was known for portraying complex and unconventional characters, with acclaimed performances in films including Parinda, Krantiveer and Salaam Bombay!, which brought him wider international recognition.

A career marked by acclaim and controversy

Patekar won three National Film Awards, India’s highest film honors, and received the Padma Shri, one of the country’s highest civilian awards. His work made him a familiar name to audiences across generations, especially for performances that combined emotional force with a restrained, understated style.

His career also included public controversy. During India’s #MeToo movement in 2018, a Bollywood actress accused Patekar of sexual harassment on a film set. He denied the allegation, and the case became part of a broader reckoning in the Indian entertainment industry.

AP reported that Patekar died at his home in Goa and that a doctor at the hospital where he was pronounced dead said the cause was a suspected cardiac arrest. AP also reported that he is survived by his wife and son. Further details about funeral arrangements and official medical findings were not immediately available.