PANAJI: Veteran actor Nana Patekar died at the age of 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, in the early hours of Thursday.
Patekar was found unconscious and unresponsive at his residence and was rushed to Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him. He was declared dead at 5.20 am.
Dr Shekhar Salkar, a senior doctor at Manipal Hospital, said Patekar’s caretaker alerted the hospital between 4.18 am and 4.20 am, following which an ambulance team was sent to his nearby residence. “By the time our team reached there, he was already on the ground, unconscious and almost unresponsive. They started CPR and shifted him to the hospital while continuing CPR. He was brought here in about 10 minutes, and we continued CPR here as well. But it was like he was brought dead,” he said.
Salkar said the hospital subsequently registered a medico-legal case and shifted the actor’s mortal remains to Goa Medical College for a post-mortem. “It was a cardiac arrest, but we do not know the cause. He was a known cardiac patient and was on medication, as far as we have been told,” Salkar said.
Patekar’s mortal remains are currently at the Goa Medical College mortuary, where post-mortem procedures are underway. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the body would be handed over to the family following the post-mortem and that the government would extend all necessary assistance to the family. The actor’s mortal remains are expected to be flown to either Pune or Mumbai for the final rites.
Patekar had a longstanding association with Goa and had maintained a residence in the State. In past interviews, he spoke about his affection for Goa’s coastline and his preference for spending time away from Mumbai. He had also described Goa as a place where he could write and spend time close to the sea.
His connection with Goa remained visible in his public appearances in the State. Just days before his death, Patekar attended an event in Dona Paula, where he spoke about life, mortality, and his close friendship with former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. In another video recorded days before his death, the actor was seen engaging with local performers and playing the traditional Samel, paying tribute to Goa’s folk traditions.
Patekar’s death marks the end of a career spanning nearly five decades in Hindi and Marathi cinema. Known for his intense screen presence and powerful performances, he won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Krantiveer and remained one of Indian cinema’s most distinctive performers.
The actor is survived by his son, Malhar Patekar, who has also confirmed his death.
