Indian actor Nana Patekar dies at 75

MUMBAI: What would Indian cinema look like without the unmistakable voice, intensity and screen presence of Nana Patekar? Veteran actor Nana Patekar, one of the most respected performers in Hindi and Marathi cinema, passed away on Thursday at the age of 75 after suffering a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa.

Patekar was reportedly found unconscious at his home and was rushed to Manipal Hospital in Dona Paula for treatment. He was declared dead at 5:20 am. Doctors tried to revive the actor for around 45 minutes, but he did not respond to the treatment.

Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, confirmed the actor’s death to news agency ANI and said that a medico-legal case has been registered. A post-mortem examination will also be conducted. The news marks the end of a long and distinctive acting career that saw Patekar move comfortably between Hindi and Marathi cinema.

He was never an actor who needed elaborate introductions. His voice, expressions and ability to bring a certain intensity to even a few lines of dialogue made him instantly recognisable to generations of film audiences.

Born Vishwanath Patekar in Murud-Janjira in Maharashtra’s Raigad district, Nana Patekar studied at Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art in Mumbai before entering the world of acting. He made his Bollywood acting debut with the 1978 film Gaman and went on to establish himself through a series of challenging roles.