The Indian film industry is in mourning following the sudden demise of veteran actor Nana Patekar, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 75. The legendary star suffered a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. Despite immediate medical intervention at Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him for 45 minutes, the actor could not be saved. Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at the hospital, confirmed that the actor had reached out to a friend complaining of feeling unwell at 2:30 am, leading to his emergency hospitalization shortly after 4 am.
Filmmaker Anees Bazmee, who shared a long-standing professional and personal bond with Patekar, has expressed his profound grief. Bazmee, who directed the actor in his iconic role as the underworld don Uday Shetty in the hit comedies Welcome and Welcome Back, admitted he is struggling to process the news. Speaking briefly to the media, a visibly shaken Bazmee stated he was not in a condition to speak, describing the loss as unbearable and asking for time to come to terms with the tragedy. He later echoed these sentiments on social media, describing the event as an immeasurable loss.
Nana Patekar leaves behind a towering legacy in both Hindi and Marathi cinema. Starting his journey with the 1978 film Gaman, he delivered powerhouse performances in classics like Parinda, Krantiveer, Tiranga, and Ab Tak Chhappan. Known for his intense screen presence and versatility, he remained active in the industry until his final days, having recently worked on Housefull 5, Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo, and a cameo in the Anil Kapoor starrer Subedar. His departure marks the end of an era for Indian cinema, leaving a void that will be felt by fans and colleagues alike.