‘Indian cinema great’ Nana Patekar dies at 75 after heart attack

Nana Patekar, the legendary Indian actor who commanded Bollywood and the theater world with his trademark intensity and powerful delivery, has died. He was 75.

■ Rushed from his Goa home: “Died of a heart attack”

Nana Patekar was found unconscious at his home in the western coastal state of Goa on the morning of the 8th (local time), Reuters and local media reported.

He was immediately taken to a nearby Manipal Hospital, where medical staff provided emergency treatment, but he never regained consciousness and died. Dr. Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital officially confirmed in an interview with local media that the direct cause of death was a heart attack.

■ An acting career that began on the theater stage becomes a Bollywood institution

The Maharashtra native began his acting career by honing his craft on the Marathi-language theater stage.

He appeared in numerous major Indian art films throughout the 1970s and ’80s, cementing his name with the acclaimed film Salaam Bombay!, directed by Mira Nair and nominated for an Academy Award.

He later expanded into Bollywood’s commercial mainstream, working alongside leading stars such as Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan while displaying a broad range that spanned serious drama, comedy and villainous roles. His sharp gaze and charismatic line delivery, charged with his trademark anger, became his signature. He won Best Actor honors at the National Film Awards and numerous other ceremonies.

■ Fellow actors mourn: “His legacy will be unmatched”

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, who worked with Patekar on several hit films, posted a farewell to the veteran on social media: “He was a rare actor who could draw audiences in without saying much. His voice, his authenticity and the intensity he brought to every performance were unlike anything before or since.”

Tributes from film fans and fellow artists across India have poured in following news of the death of a legend who left an indelible mark on Indian theaters. He is survived by his wife and one son.