Mumbai, October 8: Veteran actor Nana Patekar, known for his intense performances and distinctive dialogue delivery in Hindi and Marathi cinema, died in Goa on Thursday, aged 75, according to hospital sources.
Patekar was found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula and was rushed to Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him. He was declared dead after suffering a cardiac arrest, reports said.
The actor, whose career spanned more than four decades, was widely regarded for portraying complex and unconventional characters with intensity and realism.
Born Vishwanath Patekar on January 1, 1951, in Maharashtra, he made his Hindi film debut with "Gaman" in 1978 and went on to establish himself as one of the prominent performers in Indian cinema.
His breakthrough came with films such as "Salaam Bombay!" and "Parinda". He subsequently delivered acclaimed performances in movies including "Angaar", "Tirangaa", "Krantiveer", "Agni Sakshi", "Khamoshi: The Musical", "Yeshwant", "Ab Tak Chhappan", "Apaharan" and "Raajneeti".
Patekar was equally associated with Marathi cinema and theatre. He also ventured into filmmaking and made his directorial debut with "Prahaar: The Final Attack" in 1991.
He displayed his comic side as Uday Shetty in the "Welcome" franchise, a role that became popular among audiences. His other notable films included "Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman", "Wajood", "Hu Tu Tu", "Gang", "Deewangee", "Bhoot", "Welcome Back", "Natsamrat" and "The Vaccine War".
Patekar was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contribution to cinema and the arts. He also received three National Film Awards during his career, besides several other honours.
Away from the screen, Patekar was associated with social causes and had supported farmers and families affected by agrarian distress.
Despite his stature in the film industry, he largely maintained a private personal life and remained known for his relatively low-key public presence.
His death marks the end of a long career during which he worked across mainstream and parallel cinema, Marathi theatre and filmmaking, leaving behind a body of work spanning several decades.
The actor's death prompted tributes from colleagues, fans and the wider film fraternity, with many recalling his distinctive acting style and memorable performances.
