PM Modi condoles Nana Patekar's death: 'Characters remembered for generations'
Synopsis
Nana Patekar — three-time National Award winner, Padma Shri recipient, and one of Hindi and Marathi cinema's most magnetic performers — has died at 75 in Goa. Prime Minister Modi's tribute on X underscored the scale of the loss: an actor whose intensity was unrepeatable, and whose social activism off-screen was as uncompromising as his roles on it.
Key Takeaways
Veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away at the age of 75 at his Dona Paula, Goa residence on 8 October 2026 .
Manipal Hospital, Goa confirmed he was found unconscious at home and declared brought dead on arrival.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute on X , calling him an actor of 'intensity, individuality and unmistakable presence.' Patekar won three National Film Awards and was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013 .
He made his Hindi film debut with 'Gaman' in 1978 and had a career spanning over four decades in Hindi and Marathi cinema.
Beyond cinema, he was known for his sustained support to farmers and families hit by agrarian distress.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 8 October 2026 condoled the passing of veteran actor Nana Patekar, who died at the age of 75 at his Dona Paula residence in Goa, calling him an artist who gave Indian cinema characters that would be remembered for generations.
PM Modi's tribute on X
Taking to social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi wrote: 'Few actors possessed the intensity, individuality and unmistakable presence that Shri Nana Patekar Ji had. He brought remarkable versatility and creativity to every role and gave us characters that will be remembered for generations. He was also admired for his frank and forthright views, never hesitating to express what he believed in.'
Modi also paid tribute to Patekar's contributions across both languages. 'Shri Nana Patekar's contribution to Hindi and Marathi cinema was immense. His passing leaves a deep void. My condolences to his family, friends and countless admirers. Om Shanti,' he added.
How Nana Patekar was found and declared dead
Manipal Hospital, Goa, confirmed in an official statement that the actor was found unconscious at his Dona Paula home and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. No further medical details were provided by the hospital at the time of reporting.
A career spanning over four decades
Born Vishwanath Patekar on 1 January 1951 in Maharashtra, Nana Patekar made his Hindi film debut with 'Gaman' in 1978. His breakthrough arrived with critically acclaimed films such as 'Salaam Bombay!' and 'Parinda', after which he delivered defining performances in 'Krantiveer', 'Agni Sakshi', 'Yeshwant', 'Ab Tak Chhappan', 'Apaharan', and 'Raajneeti', among many others.
Patekar was equally respected in Marathi cinema and theatre, and made his directorial debut with 'Prahaar: The Final Attack' in 1991. His portrayal of Uday Shetty in the 'Welcome' franchise became a cultural touchstone, particularly for younger audiences.
Honours and social commitment
Patekar was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contributions to cinema and the arts. Over the course of his career, he won three National Film Awards and numerous other prestigious honours. Beyond the screen, he was widely admired for his work supporting farmers and families affected by agrarian distress, a commitment he pursued with characteristic candour. He maintained a relatively private personal life despite being one of India's most recognisable faces for decades.
With Nana Patekar's passing, Indian cinema loses one of its most singular and uncompromising performers — an artist who, across Hindi and Marathi films, theatre, and social activism, left a body of work that will continue to resonate long after his death.
Point of View
Not a routine celebrity obituary — he was one of the last of a generation of actors who built careers on craft rather than stardom, and who used that platform for social accountability. PM Modi's swift tribute on X reflects the cross-partisan respect Patekar commanded. What mainstream coverage may underplay is the off-screen legacy: his farmer-support work was sustained and personal, not a PR exercise. Indian cinema now has fewer and fewer performers of his uncompromising register.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Nana Patekar die?
Nana Patekar was found unconscious at his Dona Paula residence in Goa and was rushed to Manipal Hospital, Goa, where doctors declared him brought dead, according to an official hospital statement. He was 75 years old.
What did PM Modi say about Nana Patekar?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a tribute on X saying Patekar possessed 'intensity, individuality and unmistakable presence' and gave Indian cinema 'characters that will be remembered for generations.' Modi also noted Patekar's 'frank and forthright views' and called his passing a 'deep void' for Hindi and Marathi cinema.
What awards did Nana Patekar win during his career?
Nana Patekar won three National Film Awards and was conferred the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contributions to cinema and the arts. He received numerous other prestigious honours across his four-decade career.
What are Nana Patekar's most famous films?
Patekar's celebrated works include 'Salaam Bombay!', 'Parinda', 'Krantiveer', 'Agni Sakshi', 'Ab Tak Chhappan', 'Apaharan', 'Raajneeti', and 'Natsamrat'. He was also widely loved for his comic role as Uday Shetty in the 'Welcome' franchise. In Marathi cinema, 'Natsamrat' is considered one of his finest performances.
What was Nana Patekar known for beyond cinema?
Beyond his acting career, Nana Patekar was widely recognised for his social activism, particularly his efforts to support farmers and families affected by agrarian distress. Despite being one of India's most recognisable public figures, he maintained a relatively private personal life.
