Nana Patekar dies at 75; Nitin Gadkari calls it a 'huge loss' to Indian cinema
Synopsis
Nana Patekar, one of Hindi and Marathi cinema's most iconic actors, died at 75 after a cardiac arrest at his Goa residence on 8 October. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, in an emotional X post, called it a 'huge loss' and recalled five decades of Patekar's unmatched screen presence — and his equally significant work fighting farmer distress through the Naam Foundation.
Key Takeaways
Veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away at the age of 75 on 8 October 2026 after a suspected cardiac arrest.
He was reportedly found unconscious at his home in Dona Paula, Goa and declared dead at Manipal Hospital .
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari posted an emotional tribute on X , calling the death a 'great loss to Indian cinema' and recalling a close personal bond with Patekar.
Patekar had worked for more than five decades in Hindi and Marathi cinema, earning renown for his distinctive dialogue delivery.
Through the Naam Foundation , he championed water conservation and supported families of farmers who died by suicide in Maharashtra .
Filmmaker Ashok Pandit and actor-filmmaker Ananth Mahadevan also paid tribute, describing his passing as an irreplaceable loss to Indian theatre and cinema.
Veteran actor Nana Patekar, one of the most celebrated performers of Hindi and Marathi cinema, passed away at the age of 75 on Thursday, 8 October 2026, leaving the film fraternity and his millions of admirers in a state of deep shock. According to reports, Patekar suffered a cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, in the early hours of Thursday and was found unconscious at home before being rushed to Manipal Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Nitin Gadkari's Emotional Tribute
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari was among the first prominent public figures to pay tribute, sharing an emotional post in Marathi on X (formerly Twitter) in which he recalled a close personal bond with the late actor. 'The news of the demise of veteran actor Nana Patekar, a stalwart of Indian cinema, is extremely shocking and saddening. My heartfelt tribute to him,' Gadkari wrote.
Gadkari further noted: 'Nana and I shared a very close and friendly relationship. Through his powerful acting, Nana Patekar ruled the hearts of audiences for more than five decades through Marathi and Hindi films. With his distinctive style of dialogue delivery, he immortalised several characters in cinema and created an identity of his own. His passing is a great loss to Indian cinema.'
Legacy Beyond Cinema: The Naam Foundation
Gadkari also highlighted Patekar's humanitarian work, writing: 'Through the Naam Foundation, his work in the fields of water conservation and water storage in the rural areas of Maharashtra has been remarkable and significant. The helping hand he extended to the families of farmers who died by suicide became a source of support for many families.'
Gadkari concluded his tribute by describing Patekar as 'not only a great artist and actor, but also a sensitive personality who cared deeply about society.' Apart from his acting career spanning over five decades, Patekar had made the Naam Foundation — focused on water conservation and support for farmer suicide-affected families in Maharashtra — a central part of his public identity.
Film Fraternity Mourns
Filmmaker and producer Ashok Pandit mourned the loss on social media, describing Patekar as 'not only a monumental figure in Indian cinema but also a beacon of hope for thousands of farming families in Maharashtra.' He added: 'It's a great loss to the world of theatre and cinema. Om Shanti.'
Actor-filmmaker Ananth Mahadevan, who shared a close working and personal relationship with Patekar, also expressed grief online, writing: 'This is shocking.. heartbreaking... flood of memories of togetherness and life's philosophies.. shared a wonderful working and personal relationship. Short of words.. the grief is unbearable.'
A Career That Defined an Era
Nana Patekar was widely regarded as one of the most intense and versatile performers in Indian cinema, known for his electrifying screen presence and a dialogue delivery style that became a cultural touchstone. His body of work across Marathi and Hindi films over more than five decades earned him a place among the enduring icons of the industry. His death marks the end of an era for audiences who grew up watching him command the screen with unmatched authority.
As tributes continue to pour in from across the film industry and public life, Patekar's dual legacy — as a towering artist and a committed social worker — is expected to define how he is remembered for generations to come.
Point of View
On screen and off. Gadkari's tribute rightly foregrounds the Naam Foundation work, which is often eclipsed by the film legacy in popular memory. The real measure of Patekar's impact may ultimately lie not in box-office tallies but in the farming families of Maharashtra who found a lifeline through his activism — a dimension that most obituaries will underplay. Indian cinema has lost a performer; rural Maharashtra has lost an advocate.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Nana Patekar die?
Nana Patekar reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, in the early hours of 8 October 2026. He was found unconscious and rushed to Manipal Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
How old was Nana Patekar when he died?
Nana Patekar was 75 years old at the time of his death on 8 October 2026.
What did Nitin Gadkari say about Nana Patekar's death?
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari posted an emotional tribute on X, describing Patekar as a stalwart of Indian cinema who 'ruled the hearts of audiences for more than five decades.' He also praised Patekar's social work through the Naam Foundation and called his passing 'a great loss to Indian cinema.'
What was the Naam Foundation started by Nana Patekar?
The Naam Foundation was an initiative led by Nana Patekar focused on water conservation, water storage in rural Maharashtra, and providing support to families of farmers who died by suicide. It became a significant part of his public legacy alongside his acting career.
Who else from the film industry paid tribute to Nana Patekar?
Filmmaker and producer Ashok Pandit described Patekar as 'a beacon of hope for thousands of farming families in Maharashtra,' while actor-filmmaker Ananth Mahadevan, who shared a close personal and working relationship with him, called the loss 'shocking' and 'heartbreaking.'
