Nana Patekar No More: Remembering the Legendary Actor Through His Most Iconic Roles

Mumbai and the entire Indian film fraternity are mourning the loss of one of their most celebrated talents, Nana Patekar. The veteran actor, known for his intense performances and powerful dialogue delivery, breathed his last this morning, October 8, 2026, in Goa at the age of 75. Reports confirm that Patekar suffered a cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula and was rushed to Manipal Hospital, Goa, where he was declared dead at 5:20 AM. Nana Patekar Dies at 75; Veteran Actor Suffered Cardiac Arrest in Goa.

Born Vishwanath Patekar on January 1, 1951, in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra, his career spanned decades, earning him three National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards, two Maharashtra State Film Awards, two Filmfare Awards Marathi, and the prestigious Padma Shri in 2013 for his significant contributions to cinema and arts.

Nana Patekar's Best Performances

Nana Patekar carved a niche for himself with roles that ranged from formidable antagonists to endearing common men, often infusing them with a raw intensity and authenticity that few could match. Here’s a look at some of his most iconic performances:

Sadhu Agashe - 'Ab Tak Chhappan'

In the 2004 Hindi-language crime drama Ab Tak Chhappan, Nana Patekar delivered a chillingly nuanced performance as Sadhu Agashe, an encounter specialist. The film, directed by Shimit Amin and produced by Ram Gopal Varma, showcased Agashe's ruthless yet principled approach to cleaning up the Mumbai underworld. Released on February 27, 2004, the movie also featured Revathi, Yashpal Sharma, Mohan Agashe, Nakul Vaid, and Hrishitaa Bhatt. Patekar’s portrayal earned him widespread critical acclaim for its gritty realism.

Rakesh Maria - 'The Attacks of 26/11'

Revisiting one of India's darkest chapters, Nana Patekar played the pivotal role of Joint Commissioner of Police, Rakesh Maria, in Ram Gopal Varma’s 2013 docudrama crime thriller The Attacks of 26/11. The film, based on Rommel Rodrigues' book Kasab: The Face of 26/11, depicted the harrowing 2008 Mumbai attacks. Released theatrically on March 1, 2013, after premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival, the film grossed ₹30.9 crore worldwide. Audiences can stream this intense portrayal on JioHotstar, Eros Now, Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play Movies, and YouTube.

Ganpat Belwalkar - 'Natsamrat'

One of his most acclaimed performances in Marathi cinema came with the 2016 drama Natsamrat. Nana Patekar captivated audiences as Ganpat Ramchandra Belwalkar, a retired stage actor grappling with the harsh realities of old age and filial ingratitude. Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar and co-produced by Patekar himself, the film was based on the iconic Marathi play by Kusumagraj. Released on January 1, 2016, 'Natsamrat' became the highest-grossing Marathi film at the time, hailed for its powerful narrative and Patekar's profound performance.

Uday Shetty in 'Welcome'

Shifting gears to comedy, Nana Patekar showcased his remarkable versatility as the good-hearted gangster Uday Shetty in Anees Bazmee's blockbuster Welcome. The 2007 Hindi-language comedy, released on December 21, 2007, was a commercial success, becoming the second highest-grossing Bollywood film of that year. Featuring an ensemble cast including Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Paresh Rawal, and Mallika Sherawat, Patekar’s portrayal of the endearing don was widely loved. 'Welcome' is available for streaming on Netflix.

Anna in 'Parinda'

Nana Patekar's portrayal of Anna, the ruthless underworld kingpin in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's 1989 crime thriller 'Parinda', remains one of his most iconic villainous roles. Released on November 3, 1989, the film starred Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor as brothers caught in the web of crime. Patekar's intense performance earned him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. Made on a budget of INR 1.2 million, Parinda received critical acclaim and was India's official selection for the 1990 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

'Pratap Narayan Tilak - Krantiveer'

Nana Patekar’s explosive performance as Pratap Narayan Tilak in the 1994 action crime film Krantiveer solidified his status as a leading man. Directed and produced by Mehul Kumar, the film saw Patekar as a revolutionary inspiring people to fight injustice. Released on July 22, 1994, 'Krantiveer' was the third highest-grossing film of the year and earned Patekar the National Film Award for Best Actor, alongside three Star Screen Awards and four Filmfare Awards for the film itself. The film also starred Dimple Kapadia, Atul Agnihotri, and Mamta Kulkarni. Krantiveer is available to watch on Apple TV. Nana Patekar Marks Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations With Family in Mumbai (Video).

Nana Patekar's demise marks the end of an era for Indian cinema. His indelible performances and his ability to breathe life into complex characters will forever be cherished by cinephiles worldwide.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 08, 2026 10:25 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).