Entertainment
Nana Patekar, 75, Dies After Heart Attack in Goa
MUMBAI – Actor Vishwanath ‘Nana’ Patekar died at 5.20 a.m. on Oct. 8 after suffering a heart attack in Goa’s Dona Paula. He was found lying on the floor and taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors were unable to revive him. Patekar had sent a message to a friend around 2.30 a.m. about discomfort, but it was not seen until an hour later. He was 75 years old.
Patekar’s body was later transported to Donje village in Pune, where he was cremated on the grounds of his own farmhouse.
Born on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 1951, in Murud‑Janjira, Maharashtra, Patekar grew up in a working‑class family and began earning money at age 13. He studied at JJ School of Applied Art in Mumbai and worked in advertising for two years before moving into theatre. He was mentored by director Vijaya Mehta and performed in the play *Purush*, which ran for 16 years.
He entered films with Muzaffar Ali’s *Gaman* (1978) and followed it with Jabbar Patel’s Marathi film *Sinhasan* (1979). His career gained momentum with roles in *Salaam Bombay*, *Ankush*, and *Parinda*. He later received awards for films such as *Krantiveer*, *Prahaar* (which he also directed), *Yashwant*, *Ghulam E Mustafa*, and *Tirangaa*. Patekar was known for blending street angst with neo‑nationalism in his screen persona.
He also appeared in lighter films like *Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman* and *Thodasa Roomani Ho Jaaye*. In 1988 he joined the Territorial Army as a captain, trained for *Prahaar*, and later served with the Maratha Light Infantry during the Kargil War. Patekar founded the NAAM Foundation to address rural distress in Maharashtra.
During the MeToo movement, actress Tanushree Dutta alleged sexual harassment against him; Patekar subsequently stepped away from the limelight for several years. He returned with films such as *Raajneeti*, *Natsamrat*, and *Kaala* with Rajinikanth.
He is survived by his wife Neelakanti and son Malhar.