Veteran actor Nana Patekar, one of Indian cinema's most celebrated and decorated performers, passed away on Thursday, 8 October 2026, at the age of 75 in Goa. According to an official statement from Manipal Hospital, Goa, Patekar was found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Shatrughan Sinha Pays Tribute

Actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha was among the first from the film fraternity to express grief, taking to his official account on X (formerly Twitter) to pen a heartfelt tribute. Sinha wrote, “Deeply saddened by the passing away of veteran actor #NanaPatekar.” He went on to call Patekar “one of the most brilliant popular actor/star the film industry has ever seen,” adding that he was “an actor par excellence, rooted, a renowned theater personality too.” Sinha also noted Patekar’s record of winning 3 National Film Awards and extended prayers to the late actor’s “family, friends, supporters & fans.”

Kamal Haasan, Pawan Kalyan and Chiranjeevi Mourn the Loss

Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi, actor-politician Pawan Kalyan, and Tamil cinema legend Kamal Haasan also paid tribute to Patekar, remembering him for his contributions to cinema and his service to the nation. Haasan shared a throwback photograph with Patekar on X and wrote, “Heartbreaking news of Nana Patekar Ji’s passing. An extraordinary artist and an even greater human being. The man was a force of nature, and he uplifted the lives of those around him. Beyond the screen, his work helping farmers in Maharashtra and his volunteer service during the Kargil War spoke volumes about his deep sense of duty. My deepest condolences to his family and his legions of fans.”

A Career Defined by Iconic Performances

Nana Patekar made his Hindi film debut with Gaman in 1978 and went on to build one of the most respected bodies of work across Hindi and Marathi cinema. Known for his intense, deeply immersive acting style, he won 3 National Film Awards over the course of his career. His performances were widely regarded as benchmarks for character-driven acting in Indian mainstream cinema.

Beyond Cinema: Farmer Welfare and the Kargil War

The tributes from across the industry repeatedly highlighted Patekar’s life beyond the screen. He was well known for his sustained efforts to support distressed farmers in Maharashtra, and reportedly volunteered during the Kargil War — contributions that cemented his image as a public figure of conscience. This outpouring of grief from actors across Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu cinema reflects the pan-Indian stature Patekar had achieved over nearly five decades.

An Industry in Mourning

The passing of Nana Patekar marks the end of an era for Indian cinema. His career spanned nearly five decades, bridging the parallel cinema movement and mainstream commercial films in a way few actors managed. The industry now awaits a formal state tribute; no official announcement on funeral arrangements had been made at the time of reporting.