Veteran actor Nana Patekar died in Goa at 75 after a cardiac arrest, leaving behind a celebrated career across Hindi and Marathi cinema.

Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar, one of the most distinctive performers in Hindi and Marathi cinema, died at the age of 75 in Goa on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Patekar was found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, in the early hours of Oct. 8. According to hospital officials and Indian media reports, he had complained of feeling unwell and experiencing chest pain before his condition deteriorated.

A medical team was called to his residence and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). He was subsequently taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors continued efforts to revive him for about 45 minutes. Dr. Shekhar Salkar, chief of the oncology department at Manipal Hospital, said Patekar was declared dead at around 5:20 a.m.

A medico-legal case has been registered, and a post-mortem examination is being conducted as part of the official procedure to establish the precise cause of death. His body was taken to Goa Medical College for the examination, according to Indian media reports.

Born Vishwanath Patekar in Maharashtra, Nana Patekar began his career in Marathi theatre before making his film debut in 1978 with Gaman. He went on to build a career spanning Hindi and Marathi cinema, earning recognition for his intense screen presence, distinctive voice and powerful performances.

Among his acclaimed films was Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay!, which received an Academy Award nomination. Patekar also delivered celebrated performances in films including Parinda, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Prahaar, Khamoshi: The Musical, Ab Tak Chhappan and Natsamrat.

His work earned him three National Film Awards. He won Best Supporting Actor for Parinda and Agni Sakshi, while his performance in Krantiveer earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor.

Patekar was also honoured with the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contribution to Indian cinema.

Despite his reputation for serious and intense roles, he remained widely popular with younger audiences through mainstream films. His portrayal of gangster Uday Shetty in the 2007 comedy Welcome became one of his most recognisable performances and introduced his distinctive acting style to a new generation.

Patekar continued working across different Indian film industries during his long career. His death marks the loss of a versatile performer whose work crossed the boundaries between serious cinema, mainstream entertainment and regional filmmaking.