Nana Patekar in 'Parinda' left me astounded, says producer Siddharth Roy Kapur
Synopsis
Producer Siddharth Roy Kapur says watching Nana Patekar in 'Parinda' at a Mumbai cinema was one of those rare moments that redefine what screen acting can be. With tributes pouring in from Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Pankaj Tripathi, Patekar's passing on 8 October 2026 has left Indian cinema grieving a performer of truly irreplaceable range.
Key Takeaways
Nana Patekar passed away on 8 October 2026 at the age of 75 , reportedly after complaining of severe chest discomfort at his residence in Goa .
Producer Siddharth Roy Kapur recalled being 'astounded' by Patekar's performance in 'Parinda' , which he watched at Hero Cinema, Mumbai .
Roy Kapur described Patekar as a rare performer who could seamlessly shift from intense drama ( 'Parinda' ) to comedy ( 'Welcome' ).
Actor Pankaj Tripathi called the loss 'deeply personal', recalling Patekar's mentorship during the filming of 'Kaala' .
Condolences have poured in from Shah Rukh Khan , Salman Khan , Hema Malini , Akshay Kumar , Sanjay Dutt , and others across the Indian film industry.
Film producer Siddharth Roy Kapur has paid tribute to the late Padma Shri awardee Nana Patekar, recalling how the veteran actor's performance in the 1989 film 'Parinda' left him speechless and cemented his place as one of Indian cinema's most versatile performers. Patekar passed away on 8 October 2026 at the age of 75.
A Performance That Broke New Ground
Roy Kapur described watching 'Parinda' at Hero Cinema in Mumbai as a formative experience. "I still remember watching Parinda in Hero Cinema and being astounded by his performance. It's one of those performances that really stand out to you as being something that breaks new ground," he said.
The producer praised Patekar's extraordinary range, noting that very few actors in the history of Indian cinema could straddle such contrasting genres. "There are very few actors who can range from Parinda to Welcome. From that kind of intense performance to that kind of comedy. And Nana Patekar was one of those rare actors," Roy Kapur said.
A Personal Loss for the Fraternity
Roy Kapur extended his condolences to the actor's family, stating that Indian cinema would deeply miss Patekar's presence. He joins a long list of film personalities who have mourned the loss, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hema Malini, Anupam Kher, Rohit Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar, and Raj Babbar.
Pankaj Tripathi's Heartfelt Tribute
Actor Pankaj Tripathi, who shared screen space with Patekar in the film 'Kaala', described the loss as deeply personal. "Nana ji's passing is an incredibly painful loss for our entire fraternity; it's a deeply personal loss for me," Tripathi said.
"He was not just a co-actor but someone who would guide me on the craft, life choices, and the smallest nuances of acting," Tripathi added. He recalled that Patekar's mentorship extended well beyond the camera, offering counsel on life decisions and performance technique alike.
About Nana Patekar
Nana Patekar, born 1 January 1951, was one of India's most decorated character actors, known for landmark films including 'Parinda', 'Agneepath', 'Welcome', and 'Ab Tak Chhappan'. According to reports, the veteran actor was found unconscious at his residence in Goa after complaining of severe chest discomfort. He was 75 years old at the time of his passing.
His death marks the end of an era for Hindi cinema, and tributes continue to pour in from across the country's cultural landscape.
Point of View
Co-stars, and directors underlines something mainstream obituaries often flatten: Patekar was not just prolific but genuinely difficult to categorise. That a single actor could anchor both the brooding menace of 'Parinda' and the slapstick timing of 'Welcome' points to a craft that was as studied as it was instinctive. Pankaj Tripathi's account of Patekar as a life mentor — not merely a set colleague — is a reminder that the most durable legacies in cinema are often interpersonal, passed down through younger actors who carry the influence forward. Indian cinema loses not just a performer but a kind of informal institution.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Nana Patekar pass away and how old was he?
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 complaining of severe chest discomfort.
What did Siddharth Roy Kapur say about Nana Patekar's performance in 'Parinda'?
Producer Siddharth Roy Kapur said he was 'astounded' by Patekar's performance in 'Parinda', which he watched at Hero Cinema in Mumbai. He described it as a performance that 'breaks new ground' and called Patekar a rare actor who could range from intense drama to comedy.
Why did Pankaj Tripathi call Nana Patekar's death a deeply personal loss?
Pankaj Tripathi shared screen space with Nana Patekar in the film 'Kaala' and said Patekar guided him not just on acting craft but also on life choices and the nuances of performance. He described the loss as 'incredibly painful' for the entire film fraternity.
Which Bollywood celebrities paid tribute to Nana Patekar?
Tributes were paid by Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hema Malini, Anupam Kher, Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Rohit Shetty, Raj Babbar, Pankaj Tripathi, and producer Siddharth Roy Kapur, among others from the Indian film industry.
What are some of Nana Patekar's most notable films?
Nana Patekar was known for a wide range of films including 'Parinda', 'Agneepath', 'Ab Tak Chhappan', and the comedy 'Welcome'. His ability to move between intense dramatic roles and broad comedy made him one of the most versatile actors of his generation.
