Veteran Indian Actor Nana Patekar Dies at 75 Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar has died at the age of 75 in Goa, marking the end of a career that spanned more than four decades across Indian cinema and theatre. Patekar was reportedly found unconscious at his home in Goa early Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was taken to hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him. Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital in Goa told ANI that Patekar could not be revived despite around 45 minutes of continuous CPR. The actor’s son, Malhar Patekar, confirmed his death to BBC Marathi. Patekar was among India’s most recognisable actors and was particularly admired for his powerful performances, distinctive voice and intense dialogue delivery. He worked extensively in both Hindi and Marathi cinema and remained connected with theatre throughout his career. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences following the actor’s death, praising his versatility and contribution to the arts. Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, who worked with Patekar in the popular comedy film “Welcome”, also paid tribute to the veteran performer. Born in Maharashtra in 1951, Patekar began his career in theatre before entering the film industry. He made his film debut with “Gaman” in 1978 and initially appeared in supporting roles. His breakthrough came with the 1989 film “Parinda”, in which he played the character Anna. His performance earned him a National Film Award as well as a Filmfare Award and established him as a major actor in Indian cinema. During the 1990s, Patekar delivered a series of memorable performances in films including “Prahaar”, “Tirangaa”, “Krantiveer” and “Khamoshi”. His role in “Krantiveer” earned him another National Film Award. He also demonstrated his versatility by taking on very different characters. His performance in “Khamoshi” showed a quieter side of his acting, while his role as a politician in Prakash Jha’s 2010 film “Rajneeti” further highlighted his range. Patekar won three National Film Awards during his career for “Parinda”, “Krantiveer” and “Agni Sakshi”. Alongside acting, he worked as a director and writer and remained active in Marathi and Hindi theatre. His well-known stage performances included “Purush” and “Hamidabai Chi Kothi”. Beyond entertainment, Patekar was also involved in social causes, particularly issues affecting farmers. In 2015, he and actor Makarand Anaspure founded the Naam Foundation, which has worked on farmer welfare and water conservation projects in Maharashtra. Patekar’s career also faced controversy. In 2018, actor Tanushree Dutta accused him of sexual harassment over an alleged incident on a film set years earlier. Patekar denied the allegations. In 2019, police closed the case, saying they had not found sufficient evidence to support the allegations. With his distinctive screen presence and decades of work across film and theatre, Nana Patekar leaves behind a lasting legacy in Indian entertainment.