Tamil cinema icon Kamal Haasan, Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi, and actor-politician Pawan Kalyan have paid heartfelt tributes to legendary Indian actor Nana Patekar, who passed away on Thursday, 8 October at the age of 75 in Goa. The three stalwarts remembered Patekar not only for his towering contributions to Indian cinema but also for his humanitarian work, including farmer welfare in Maharashtra and volunteer service during the Kargil War.

How Nana Patekar Passed Away

Manipal Hospital, Goa, confirmed that Patekar was found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. The loss has sent shockwaves across the Indian film fraternity, with tributes pouring in from across language industries.

Kamal Haasan's Tribute

Kamal Haasan took to X (formerly Twitter), sharing a throwback photograph alongside a deeply personal note. He 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.'

Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan Pay Homage

Chiranjeevi shared a throwback solo photograph of the late actor and wrote: 'Deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary #NanaPatekar. An extraordinary actor with a powerful screen presence and artistic journey uniquely his own that left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Beyond the screen, his compassion for farmers and his service through his Foundation reflected his commitment to helping those in need. His legacy of art and humanity will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones and admirers. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti.'

Pawan Kalyan, who holds the office of Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, also penned a tribute, writing: 'The passing of legendary Indian actor, National Award-winning artiste, and Padma Shri awardee Sri Nana Patekar Ji, is deeply painful. Over four decades, he brought extraordinary depth and authenticity to every role, from comedy to emotional, and from intense drama to the finest shades of human emotion, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Beyond his remarkable contribution as an actor, his work as a social worker and his commitment to serving society will also be remembered with great respect. I convey my deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, colleagues, and countless admirers. Om Shanti.'

Nana Patekar: A Career Spanning Five Decades

Born Vishwanath Patekar, the actor made his Hindi film debut with Gaman in 1978 and went on to become one of the most decorated performers of his generation, winning the National Award and receiving the Padma Shri. He was equally celebrated in Marathi cinema, bringing a raw authenticity to both art-house and mainstream films. Over more than four decades, he took on an extraordinary range of roles — comedic, dramatic, and intense — establishing a legacy that cut across regional and linguistic boundaries.

Notably, Patekar was also widely recognised for founding a welfare initiative that provided support to distressed farmers in Maharashtra and for his personal participation in relief efforts during the Kargil War — a dimension of his life that each of Thursday's tributes chose to highlight, underscoring how deeply his off-screen identity resonated with contemporaries. The outpouring of grief from some of Indian cinema's biggest names signals the scale of a loss that extends well beyond Mumbai's film fraternity.