Nana Patekar, the celebrated Indian actor and filmmaker, passed away on Thursday in Goa at the age of 75. His death is suspected to be due to cardiac arrest, as reported by the Press Trust of India.
Born in 1951 in Maharashtra, Patekar’s career spanned nearly 50 years across both Hindi and Marathi cinema. He was renowned for his powerful performances, often taking on complex and unconventional roles. He made his acting debut in the 1978 film “Gaman” and gained fame for notable works such as “Parinda” and “Krantiveer.” Patekar also contributed significantly to India’s parallel cinema, known for its realistic portrayal of social issues, and he garnered international acclaim with “Salaam Bombay!” directed by Mira Nair.
Throughout his career, Patekar received three National Film Awards and was honored with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards. In 2018, he faced allegations of sexual harassment during India’s #MeToo movement, which he denied.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, highlighting Patekar’s intense presence and versatility as an actor. He is survived by his wife and son.
