Kathmandu, October 8
Veteran Bollywood actor Nana Patekar has died at the age of 75, Indian media outlets have reported. According to the reports, he died of cardiac arrest.
He is reported to have died at 5:20 am today. CPR was administered continuously for 45 minutes in an attempt to save him.
Patekar was one of the best-known actors of Hindi and Marathi cinema. He was born on January 1, 1951, in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra. He was not only an actor but also active as a film producer, director and writer. Counted among the most influential actors in Indian cinema, he carved out a distinct place through his unique acting style and dialogue delivery.
Patekar entered Hindi cinema with the 1978 film Gaman. In his early career, he worked in both Marathi and Hindi films. His work in Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay! in 1988 won praise.
The 1989 film Parinda then became an important turning point in his career. He won the National Film Award and a Filmfare Award for his role as a gangster in the film.
Over his long career, Patekar played a wide range of roles. Among his well-known films are Ankush, Pratighaat, Prahaar, Tirangaa, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Khamoshi: The Musical, Ab Tak Chhappan, Apaharan, Raajneeti, Welcome and Welcome Back.
Having proved himself in serious and powerful roles, he also made an equally strong impression in comedy and commercial films. His role as Uday Shetty in Welcome made another side of him popular with audiences.
Patekar was last seen in Vishal Bhardwaj’s romantic action thriller O’Romeo, which starred Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri in the lead roles. In the film, released in February 2026, Patekar played Ismail Khan, head of the Mumbai Intelligence Bureau.
