Veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away on 8 October 2026 at the age of 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. He was declared dead at 5:20 am after doctors reportedly attempted to revive him for around 45 minutes. His death has sent waves of grief across the nation, with the Marathi and Hindi film industry plunged into mourning.

Tributes Pour In From 'Natsamrat' Co-Stars

Among the first to pay tribute were Marathi actors Mrunmayee Deshpande and Medha Manjrekar, both of whom shared the screen with Patekar in the celebrated 2016 Marathi film Natsamrat. Their emotional posts on social media captured not just the loss of a colossus of Indian cinema, but the warmth of a deeply personal bond.

Mrunmayee Deshpande, who played his daughter Vidya in Natsamrat, shared a heartfelt tribute in Marathi, writing: 'I don't know what to say… I have just received the news that Nana Kaka is no more… The other day, I had received his call. "How are you? You're doing good work, aren't you?" — he asked me in his usual style… In Natsamrat, he played the role of a father, and he didn't just play that role for me, but for many people, he continued to live that role off-screen as well…'

She added: 'Nana Kaka, in real life, you were a storm… How did you leave so peacefully? I just cannot believe it… A person leaves, but the actor remains; and you were, after all, the Natsamrat!'

Medha Manjrekar Recalls 'Sarkaar, Kasha Aahat?'

Medha Manjrekar, who portrayed Kaveri — Patekar's wife — in Natsamrat, penned an especially moving tribute, recalling not just his extraordinary craft but the quiet, consistent care he showed her as a person. She wrote: 'He was our Nana. I had the privilege of working with him in Natsamrat, and being around him was an experience I will always carry with me. Watching Nana perform was not just watching an actor. You learnt something about the craft, about life, and about people. But what I will remember most is not the great actor Nana Patekar. It is the man I knew.'

Recalling a personal nickname he gave her, Medha wrote: 'He used to call me "Sarkaar." Every time he called, he would say, "Sarkaar, kasha aahat?" — How are you? And it was never just a formality. He genuinely wanted to know. Even in my cancer journey… Nana would call and check on me. He had this beautiful way of showing that he cared without making a big thing out of it. His last call to me was just about 20 days back… And again, the first thing he said was, "Sarkaar, kasha aahat?" I had no idea then that I was hearing those words for the last time…'

She concluded: 'People will remember Nana as the Natasamrat — the extraordinary actor, the voice, the intensity, the honesty he brought to every character… I will remember all of that too. But I will also remember the man who picked up the phone and asked me, simply and lovingly, "Sarkaar, kasha aahat?" Nana, you gave me memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life… You will always remain our Natasamrat. Om Shanti.'

About 'Natsamrat' and Nana Patekar's Role

Natsamrat, released on 1 January 2016, is a Marathi drama directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, adapted from the acclaimed play of the same name by playwright and poet V. V. Shirwadkar (Kusumagraj). Patekar played Ganpat Ramchandra Belwalkar, a celebrated stage actor known as Natsamrat, who retires, distributes his wealth to his children, and is gradually subjected to neglect and humiliation — a deeply moving portrait of ageing, identity, and familial betrayal.

The cast also included Vikram Gokhale as Rambhau, Ajit Parab as son Makarand, Neha Pendse as daughter-in-law Neha, and Sunil Barve as Vidya's husband. The film remains one of the most celebrated Marathi productions of the decade.

A Career That Defined Indian Cinema

Nana Patekar's passing marks the end of an era for Indian cinema. Known for his intense screen presence across Hindi and Marathi films, he built a body of work spanning several decades that ranged from commercial blockbusters to critically acclaimed art-house productions. His portrayal of the Natsamrat is widely regarded as one of the definitive performances in Marathi film history. The industry and his millions of fans across the country are now coming to terms with the irreplaceable void his departure leaves behind.