Nana Patekar death: Raza Murad recalls actor's philanthropy for farmers
Synopsis
Raza Murad's tribute to Nana Patekar cuts through the usual film-fraternity condolence to reveal a side of the actor rarely reported at this scale — a man who reportedly gave away ninety per cent of his earnings to distressed farmers and underpaid Marathi stage actors. With Patekar gone at 75, the communities he quietly sustained are left without their most visible benefactor.
Key Takeaways
Nana Patekar , Padma Shri awardee, passed away on 8 October 2026 at the age of 75 in Goa after reportedly experiencing severe chest discomfort.
Veteran actor Raza Murad described Patekar as a 'lion-hearted man' who reportedly donated ninety per cent of his earnings to underprivileged farmers and Marathi theatre artists.
Murad recalled visiting Patekar's Matunga residence annually for Ganesh Chaturthi , with Patekar this year having shifted the celebration to his Pune farm.
Tributes have come from Shah Rukh Khan , Salman Khan , Hema Malini , Anupam Kher , Akshay Kumar , and Pankaj Tripathi , among others.
Patekar was celebrated for his work across both Hindi and Marathi cinema, leaving a legacy that spanned art and activism.
Veteran actor Raza Murad has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Nana Patekar, describing him as a man whose generosity and compassion for the marginalised defined him as much as his celebrated screen presence. Patekar, a Padma Shri awardee, passed away on 8 October 2026 at the age of 75, after reportedly being found unconscious at his residence in Goa following severe chest discomfort.
A Bond Built Over Ganesh Chaturthi
Murad spoke warmly of his personal connection with Patekar, recalling an annual tradition that reflected the warmth of their friendship. 'I used to visit Nana Patekar's Matunga residence every year during Ganesh Chaturthi. This year I couldn't go because he celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi at his Pune farm. What a versatile, intense actor on screen and an equally larger-than-life character off screen,' Murad said.
The Lion-Hearted Philanthropist
Beyond his towering screen legacy, Murad painted a picture of a man driven by an almost singular commitment to giving back. He described Patekar as a 'lion-hearted man' who reportedly donated as much as ninety per cent of his earnings to underprivileged farmers and struggling Marathi theatre artists. 'That great era has ended after his untimely demise,' Murad said. The claim, while striking, reflects widely documented accounts of Patekar's charity work, particularly his sustained support for distressed farmers in Maharashtra.
Grounded Despite Stardom
Murad was emphatic that fame never altered Patekar's essential character. 'There would be no other Nana Patekar, who was a simpleton villager at heart. The great success never affected him even a bit. He always lived for others' upliftment and wellbeing. God bless his noble departed soul, eternally,' he said. The sentiment echoes tributes from across the film industry, which has mourned the loss of one of Hindi and Marathi cinema's most distinctive voices.
Film Fraternity Mourns
The outpouring of grief has been widespread. Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Hema Malini were among the first to pay tribute. Raj Babbar, Anupam Kher, Rohit Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar, and Pankaj Tripathi also remembered Patekar's immense contribution to Indian cinema and the lasting influence he had on generations of performers. Known for his intense performances and versatility across both Hindi and Marathi cinema, Patekar leaves behind a legacy that is as much humanitarian as it is artistic.
Legacy and What Remains
Patekar's passing marks the end of an era not just for Indian cinema but for the communities — farmers and theatre artists in particular — who benefited from his quiet, consistent generosity. As tributes continue to pour in, conversations have turned to whether the institutions he informally supported will find other champions willing to step into that role.
Point of View
Yet here was an actor who by multiple accounts funnelled the bulk of his income into farmer relief and underpaid theatre workers. That story was always available but rarely told at scale. His death makes visible a model of celebrity philanthropy that was entirely unglamourised — no foundation branding, no press releases — and that makes it both harder to replicate and more worth examining. The question the industry should now be asking is not just how to honour his memory on screen, but whether the communities he supported have any structural safety net beyond one actor's personal generosity.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and how did Nana Patekar die?
Nana Patekar passed away on 8 October 2026 at the age of 75. According to reports, he was found unconscious at his residence in Goa after experiencing severe chest discomfort.
What did Raza Murad say about Nana Patekar?
Raza Murad described Patekar as a 'lion-hearted man' and a 'simpleton villager at heart' who reportedly donated ninety per cent of his earnings to underprivileged farmers and underpaid Marathi theatre artists. Murad also recalled visiting Patekar's Matunga home every Ganesh Chaturthi as part of a long personal friendship.
What was Nana Patekar known for beyond acting?
Nana Patekar was widely recognised for his philanthropic work, particularly his sustained support for distressed farmers in Maharashtra and struggling Marathi stage actors. He was a recipient of the Padma Shri and was celebrated for his intense, versatile performances across Hindi and Marathi cinema.
Which celebrities paid tribute to Nana Patekar?
Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hema Malini, Raj Babbar, Anupam Kher, Rohit Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar, and Pankaj Tripathi were among the prominent film personalities who paid tribute to Nana Patekar following his death.
How old was Nana Patekar when he died?
Nana Patekar was 75 years old at the time of his death on 8 October 2026.
