The film industry is in a state of shock following the sudden demise of legendary actor Nana Patekar, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 75. The veteran star suffered a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. According to Dr. Shekhar Salkar from Manipal Hospital, Patekar had reached out to a friend complaining of discomfort around 2:30 am. Despite the friend arriving by 4 am and medical teams attempting to revive him for 45 minutes at the hospital, the actor could not be saved.
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who shared a long and successful creative partnership with Patekar, took to X to express his disbelief. Known for his unfiltered opinions, Varma wrote, “YES, everybody knows nobody is immortal. But I still can’t believe this can so suddenly happen to a man as strong as him. I hate his heart for failing him and I feel like killing GOD for killing the GOD of acting, NANA PATEKAR.” The director’s emotional tribute highlighted the immense respect he held for the actor’s unparalleled screen presence.
The association between Varma and Patekar remains a significant chapter in Bollywood history. Their collaboration began with the 2003 horror hit Bhoot and continued with Darna Mana Hai. Perhaps their most iconic partnership was the 2004 cult classic Ab Tak Chhappan, where Patekar delivered a powerhouse performance as encounter specialist Sadhu Agashe. The duo reunited a decade later for the 2013 film The Attacks of 26/11, where Patekar portrayed the role of Joint Commissioner of Police Rakesh Maria.
Patekar’s career, which spanned decades across Hindi and Marathi cinema, began with his 1978 debut Gaman. He leaves behind an incredible legacy with unforgettable performances in films like Parinda, Prahar, Krantiveer, and Khamoshi. Even in his later years, the veteran actor remained active in the industry, recently appearing in Housefull 5, Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo, and a cameo in the upcoming Subedar alongside Anil Kapoor and Radhika Madan.