Panaji, Oct 8 (PTI) Veteran actor Nana Patekar, who redefined on-screen intensity with his sharp dialogue delivery and explosive screen presence, and known for memorable roles in films like “Krantiveer”, “Parinda” and “Khamoshi, passed away at his Goa home in the early hours of Thursday.
Patekar (76) is suspected to have suffered a heart attack, sources said.
The actor was brought to a private hospital after he was found unconscious at his apartment in Dona Paula, near Panaji, Dr Shekhar Salkar, a senior doctor at the medical facility, said.
Despite being administered CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) for 45 minutes, Patekar could not be revived and was declared dead at 5.10 am, he said, adding a medico-legal case has been registered in connection with his death.
As per information provided by a friend of Patekar to the hospital doctors, the actor had messaged him around 3.30 am that he was not feeling well.
“The friend saw the message around 4 am and rushed to the apartment of Patekar, who was living with a caretaker,” Salkar said.
The caretaker rushed to the private hospital, from where an ambulance was sent to his house.
“The treatment started in the ambulance itself,” Salkar said.
The body was taken to the Goa Medical College and Hospital near Panaji for post-mortem to ascertain the exact cause of death, Salkar said.
His last rites will be performed with state hours at his farmhouse in Pune district.
Patekar was a recipient of three National Film Awards, several Filmfare Awards, the Maharashtra State Film Award and Filmfare Awards Marathi. The actor had also received the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian honour.
He was born Vishwanath Patekar into a Marathi family in Murud-Janjira in Raigad district as the youngest of three brothers. He broke out in theatre with Vijaya Mehta’s “Hamidabai Chi Kothi” that led to more acclaimed performances on stage.
In interviews, Patekar often credited the late Smita Patil for convincing him to try movies. Patekar said he hesitated because he felt his dark complexion would lead to rejection.
The big screen debut came in 1978 with Muzaffar Ali’s “Gaman”, which had Patil and Farookh Sheikh in lead roles. It led to movies such as “Sinhaasan”, “Sinhaasan”, “Giddh”, “Aaj Ki Awaz”, “Ankush” and “Pratighaat”.
Ten years later came Mira Nair’s 1988 film “Salaam Bombay!”, which saw him playing a local thug and drug dealer. The role in the Oscar-nominated film brought him instant notice and propelled him into the big league of critically acclaimed actors.
In 1990, Vidhu Vinod Chopra cast him as Anna, the central villain in his acclaimed “Parinda”. The role, still remembered for its quiet menace, won him his first of three National Awards.
He won his second National Film Award, this time as lead actor, for his role in 1994 hit “Krantiveer” as the wayward son of a freedom fighter who transforms and fights for the rights of the poor.
The roles he played were as varied as possible, be it Prakash Jha’s “Apaharan” and “Rajneeti”, Marathi film “Natsamrat”, the comedic “Welcome” and “Welcome Back”, Tamil hit “Kaala”, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s debut “Khamoshi: The Musical”, Gulzar’s “Hu Tu Tu” or Ram Gopal Varma’s “Bhoot”.
Patekar was also a philanthropist, who carried out social work through an NGO, Naam Foundation, founded by him and fellow actor Makarand Anaspure. He received acclaim for the NGO’s work for farmers during a drought in Maharashtra.
Tributes poured in for Patekar from various quarters with prominent personalities, from politics to the film world, mourning his demise.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, social activist Prakash Amte, and several prominent personalities remembered him not only as a towering figure in cinema but also as a compassionate voice for social causes.
Gadkari said he and Patekar shared a very close and friendly relationship and that the news of his death was deeply shocking and saddening.
“With his powerful acting, Nana Patekar dominated the hearts of audiences through Marathi and Hindi films for more than five decades. His distinctive dialogue delivery immortalised many film characters and created a unique identity for him,” Gadkari said.
Actor Ashok Saraf expressed shock over the death of his “very close friend”.
Noted social worker Prakash Amte said he first could not believe the news of Patekar’s death and thought it was a rumour. Patekar had played the role of Prakash Amte in the Marathi movie “Prakashwata”.
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar talked about the actor’s contribution beyond cinema.
The veteran actor had not only excelled in his profession but also remained deeply concerned about society and used his own efforts and resources to help people in distress, he said.
Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister and BJP leader Ashish Shelar called Patekar a “fearless actor” and said the Indian film industry had lost a sensitive, talented and authentic artiste.
In a post on X, Shelar said Patekar had left an indelible mark on Marathi and Hindi cinema through his performances and created a distinct identity through theatre, films and social work.
Actor-producer Riteish Deshmukh said Patekar was incomparable in his craft.
“I had the privilege of sharing screen space with him in ‘Bluffmaster’ and ‘Housefull 5’, but working with him in a Marathi film will forever remain my unfulfilled desire,” Deshmukh said, describing the actor’s death as “truly, the end of an era”.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said Patekar reigned supreme in the hearts of discerning audiences with his multifaceted acting and razor-sharp dialogue delivery. PTI RPS RD GK BK RB MIN SPK CLS ND MR PR NR RSY
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.