Veteran Indian Actor Nana Patekar Passes Away at 75

Nana Patekar, a veteran Indian actor, died at the age of 75 due to a cardiac arrest at his home in Goa, as confirmed by his son Malhar to BBC Marathi. Patekar was known for his intense performances and unique dialogue delivery, earning recognition as one of the most prominent figures in Indian cinema. He won three National Film Awards and was particularly noted for his roles in Marathi language cinema and theatre. He was found unconscious at his home in the early hours of Thursday and was rushed to the hospital. Dr. Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital in Goa stated that despite 45 minutes of continuous CPR, Patekar could not be revived. Patekar made his film debut in 1978 with Gaman and gained fame with his role in Parinda in 1989, which earned him his first National Film Award. His career spanned numerous memorable roles throughout the 1990s, showcasing his acting depth. Notable performances include Major Chauhan in Prahaar, Majid Khan in Angaar, and Pratap Narayan Tilak in Krantiveer, for which he received the national award for best actor. Patekar was born in Maharashtra in 1951 and began his career in theatre, where he developed his distinctive style. He was also known for his activism, particularly regarding farmers' issues, co-founding the Naam Foundation in 2015 for farmer welfare and water conservation. His career faced controversy in 2018 when allegations of sexual harassment were made against him, which he denied. He was cleared of the charges in 2019 after police found insufficient evidence.