Ajay Devgn, Viineet Kumar Siingh mourn Nana Patekar's death at 75
Synopsis
Nana Patekar — one of Hindi cinema's most electrifying performers — died at 75 in Goa after a cardiac arrest, leaving a void that co-stars Ajay Devgn and Viineet Kumar Siingh described as irreplaceable. Devgn's tribute on X, anchored by a still from 'Apaharan', and Siingh's raw note from the UK capture the industry's collective disbelief at the loss of a performer who made the common man's pain feel cinematic.
Key Takeaways
Nana Patekar passed away at the age of 75 in Goa following a cardiac arrest on 8 October 2026 .
Doctors reportedly attempted CPR and resuscitation for 45 minutes ; he was declared dead on arrival.
Ajay Devgn shared a still from their film 'Apaharan' on X, calling Patekar's presence 'powerful' and performances 'unforgettable'.
Viineet Kumar Siingh , shooting in the UK at the time, described the loss as deeply personal and remembered Patekar as 'a common man's voice'.
Patekar is remembered as one of Indian cinema's most intense and authentic screen performers across a career spanning several decades.
Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn and actor Viineet Kumar Siingh have paid heartfelt tributes to the late Nana Patekar, the legendary Hindi film actor who passed away at the age of 75 in Goa following a cardiac arrest on 8 October 2026. Medical staff reportedly attempted CPR and resuscitation for approximately 45 minutes, but Patekar was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Ajay Devgn's Tribute
On Thursday, Devgn took to his official account on X (formerly Twitter) and shared a still from their film 'Apaharan', accompanied by a heartfelt note honouring the late actor. In his post, Devgn wrote: "Not many made us happy, sad and feel anger quite the way Nana did. His presence was powerful, his performances unforgettable, and his absence will now be deeply felt. Rest well, Nana. Om Shanti."
The two had shared significant screen time together in the critically acclaimed film Apaharan, making Devgn's choice of that image particularly poignant. Their on-screen chemistry had been widely praised by critics and audiences alike.
Viineet Kumar Siingh Speaks of Personal Loss
Viineet Kumar Siingh expressed his grief on Instagram, sharing a throwback photograph with Nana Patekar and describing the loss as deeply personal. Siingh, who was reportedly shooting in the United Kingdom at the time, wrote that he received the news upon waking and found it difficult to process from thousands of miles away.
In his note, Siingh wrote: "Not just a great artist but a common man's emotions, his stingy pain, his helplessness and speaking person gone... A very sensitive, courageous and great soul is gone. As soon as I opened my eyes, I received very sad news of Nana Patekar Sir's demise. Getting hard to believe. I'm shooting in the UK right now and thousands of miles away feeling a strange helplessness."
He added: "It feels like it was yesterday. I grew up watching their work and working with them will always be so special to me. Their departure today has left a huge emptiness. May God give their families and millions of people who love them the strength to endure this suffering. @iamnanapatekar Nana Sir, you will always be missed. I offer my heartfelt condolences. Om Peace."
Nana Patekar: A Career That Defined an Era
Nana Patekar was widely regarded as one of the most commanding screen presences in Indian cinema, known for his intense performances across genres spanning drama, action, and satire. Over a career spanning several decades, he earned a reputation for giving authentic voice to the struggles and emotions of the common man — a quality both Devgn and Siingh specifically highlighted in their tributes.
His death has triggered an outpouring of condolences from across the film industry, with colleagues, co-stars, and fans mourning the irreplaceable void his absence leaves in Hindi cinema.
Industry Reacts
This comes amid a broader wave of grief across the entertainment community. Patekar's passing is being felt not merely as the loss of a star, but as the end of a particular school of performance — raw, uncompromising, and deeply rooted in the human condition. Many in the industry describe him as an actor who could shift an entire film's emotional weight with a single scene.
As tributes continue to pour in from across the country, his family is yet to make a formal statement regarding funeral arrangements.
Point of View
Which is precisely why tributes from co-stars like Devgn and Siingh focus not on box-office numbers but on emotional truth. The outpouring signals that Indian cinema has lost one of the last links to a tradition of method-driven, working-class storytelling. The real measure of his legacy will be whether the industry he leaves behind produces performers willing to be as uncomfortable, as raw, and as uncompromising as he was.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Nana Patekar die?
Nana Patekar died following a cardiac arrest in Goa at the age of 75. Doctors reportedly attempted CPR and resuscitation for approximately 45 minutes, but he was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
What did Ajay Devgn post about Nana Patekar?
Ajay Devgn shared a still from their film 'Apaharan' on X and wrote: 'Not many made us happy, sad and feel anger quite the way Nana did. His presence was powerful, his performances unforgettable, and his absence will now be deeply felt. Rest well, Nana. Om Shanti.'
What did Viineet Kumar Siingh say about Nana Patekar?
Viineet Kumar Siingh, who was shooting in the UK at the time of Patekar's passing, shared a throwback photo on Instagram and described him as 'not just a great artist but a common man's emotions, his stingy pain, his helplessness and speaking person.' He said working with Patekar would always remain special to him.
How old was Nana Patekar when he died?
Nana Patekar was 75 years old at the time of his death on 8 October 2026 in Goa.
Which film did Ajay Devgn and Nana Patekar work on together?
Ajay Devgn and Nana Patekar shared the screen in the film 'Apaharan'. Devgn referenced this collaboration by sharing a still from the film in his tribute on X.
