Actor Makarand Anaspure paid an emotional farewell to veteran actor Nana Patekar at his farmhouse in Donje, Pune on Thursday, 9 October 2026, breaking down in tears as he stood alongside the late actor's family. Anaspure, who worked closely with Patekar for over a decade through their social initiative NAAM Foundation, said that intensifying relief efforts for Maharashtra's drought-hit communities would be the most meaningful tribute to the actor.

Makarand Anaspure's Emotional Farewell

Visibly overcome with grief, Anaspure was seen consoling family members and embracing relatives of the late actor during the final rites. In heartbreaking visuals from the ceremony, the actor struggled to hold back tears even as he attempted to comfort those around him. He was among the first members of Nana Patekar's close circle to arrive in Pune after the actor's mortal remains were brought from Goa.

'The news is heartbreaking. Whatever is happening is heartbreaking, and it's going to take time for us to come to terms with the loss. But meanwhile, helping, helping, but doing a lot more, doing a lot more to help Maharashtra deal with the drought situation, would be the best way to pay tribute to Nana,' Anaspure said.

Anaspure noted that he had known Nana Patekar for 11 years, a bond forged not only through cinema but through sustained fieldwork addressing farmer distress and water scarcity across Maharashtra.

State Funeral and Final Rites

The Maharashtra government accorded Nana Patekar a state funeral in recognition of his monumental contribution to Indian cinema and theatre. His mortal remains were transported from Goa, where he passed away, to Pune, where the final rites were conducted at his farmhouse in Donje. The ceremony drew members of the film fraternity, close associates, and fans who had gathered to pay their respects.

How Nana Patekar Died

Nana Patekar died on 8 October 2026 at his residence in Goa, aged 75, after suffering a massive cardiac arrest. According to doctors at Manipal Hospital, Goa, the actor was found unconscious after experiencing sudden discomfort and was rushed to hospital, where medical teams administered CPR for approximately 45 minutes. He was declared dead at around 5:20 am.

The news sent shockwaves through the film fraternity and Maharashtra, where Patekar was widely revered — not only as a critically acclaimed actor across Hindi and Marathi cinema, but as a tireless humanitarian who co-founded the NAAM Foundation to assist drought-affected farmers.

NAAM Foundation and Patekar's Legacy

Beyond his celebrated filmography, Nana Patekar is remembered across Maharashtra for his grassroots work through the NAAM Foundation, which he co-founded to provide relief to farmer families ravaged by drought and agrarian distress. The foundation's work — often conducted far from the cameras — became a defining dimension of his public identity. Anaspure's pledge to continue and expand that mission stands as a direct extension of Patekar's life's work.

As Maharashtra mourns the loss of one of its most beloved cultural figures, those who knew him best say the truest memorial will be built not in stone, but in the fields and villages where he spent years working quietly alongside struggling farmers.