Veteran actor and philanthropist Nana Patekar, who held moviegoers enthralled by his powerful performances for three decades, passed away on Thursday, October 8, morning at his residence in Goa after suffering a severe cardiac arrest. He was 75.
The much-loved actor’s son, Malhar Patekar, confirmed the news. Doctors reported that despite attempting CPR for nearly 45 minutes, the acclaimed artist could not be revived.
Following the tragic news, Maharashtra government announced that the three-time National Film Award winner will be cremated with full state honours at his farmhouse in Donje, on the outskirts of Pune. Thousands of grieving fans gathered outside his residence to pay their final respects to one of Indian cinema’s most intense performers.
On and off social media, fans remembered Nana Patekar’s famous dialogue from the 1994 Bollywood movie ‘Krantiveer’: “Yeh Musalman ka khoon… yeh Hindu ka khoon… Bata isme Musalman ka kaun sa, Hindu ka kaun sa.” (This is Muslim’s blood, and this is Hindu’s. Tell me which is Muslim’s and which Hindu’s.)
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum and the film fraternity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief, praising Patekar’s fiery screen intensity, uncompromising artistic integrity, and dedication to social causes. Political figures, alongside film stars like Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar, Sunny Deol, and Jr NTR, recalled his unparalleled contribution to both mainstream and parallel cinema.
Known for his iconic performances in classics such as Parinda, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, and the popular comedy franchise Welcome, Patekar stood out for his raw delivery and commanding screen presence.
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Beyond cinema, Patekar was widely admired for his humanitarian work through the NAAM Foundation, aiding drought-affected farmers across Maharashtra. His passing leaves an irreplaceable void in Indian art and public life. 
