Legendary Actor Nana Patekar Dies at 75, Remembered as a Well-Wisher of Farmers and the Poor

By: Shabu Zaidi

Mumbai: Veteran Hindi and Marathi film actor Nana Patekar passed away at the age of 75. His real name was Vishwanath Patekar. Born on January 1, 1951, in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra, Nana Patekar established a distinct identity in Indian cinema through his powerful acting and impactful dialogue delivery.

On Thursday morning, Nana Patekar was reportedly found unconscious at his residence in Goa. He was immediately taken to a hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him with CPR for around 45 minutes. He was declared dead at approximately 5:20 a.m. His son, Malhar Patekar, confirmed his death.

Nana Patekar was not only a celebrated actor but was also remembered as a simple and down-to-earth person. He consistently raised his voice about the problems faced by farmers and people living in rural areas. In 2015, he, along with actor Makarand Anaspure, founded the NAAM Foundation, which works for drought-affected villages, farmers, water-related issues and rural development.

His family life was also marked by personal struggles. His father was Dinkar Patekar and his mother was Sanjana Bai Patekar. His brothers were reportedly Ashok and Dilip Patekar. He was married to Neelkanti Patekar. The couple had two sons, Durvasa and Malhar. Durvasa reportedly passed away during childhood after an illness.

Nana Patekar received three National Film Awards for his acting and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2013. His performances in films such as Parinda, Prahaar, Krantiveer, Khamoshi, Agni Sakshi, Tiranga and Welcome will always be remembered.

As news of Nana Patekar’s death emerged, a wave of grief spread among his fans across the country. The fearless and powerful actor may no longer appear on the screen, but he will always be remembered for his remarkable performances and his contribution to society and humanity.