Renowned actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar passed away on Thursday morning following a cardiac arrest at his home in Goa. He was 75 years old.
According to medical authorities, the veteran actor experienced health complications in the early hours of the morning, leading to a frantic race against time that ultimately ended in tragedy.
Timeline of Events
Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Department of Oncology at Manipal Hospital in Goa, detailed the sequence of events leading up to the actor’s passing to news agency ANI:
-
2:30 AM: Patekar texted a friend to let him know he was not feeling well. Because of the late hour, the friend missed the initial notification.
-
Around 4:00 AM: After calling his friend back, the friend rushed to Patekar’s residence. Upon arrival, they found the actor sweating and lapsing into unconsciousness.
-
4:20 – 4:30 AM: Patekar’s caretaker was dispatched to Manipal Hospital to fetch an emergency ambulance. An emergency room team arrived and immediately initiated chest compressions (cardiac massage) before transporting him to the hospital.
-
5:30 AM: Despite continuous resuscitation efforts—including CPR administered for nearly 45 to 60 minutes—medical personnel were unable to revive him, and he was officially declared dead upon arrival.
Investigation and Next Steps
Because the death occurred outside of a medical facility and under sudden circumstances, it was registered as a medico-legal case (MLC), prompting a formal police complaint. Patekar’s body was subsequently transferred to the Goa Medical College for a post-mortem examination. Family members were not present at the time, and he was accompanied by close friends and his caretaker.
A Storied Legacy in Indian Cinema
Born Vishwanath Patekar on January 1, 1951, in Maharashtra, the versatile actor carved out a legendary career in Hindi cinema. Making his debut in 1978 with Gaman, Patekar achieved critical and commercial acclaim through unforgettable performances in films like Salaam Bombay!, Parinda, and Krantiveer.
He held the distinction of being the first actor in Hindi cinema history to win Filmfare Awards across three major categories: Best Supporting Actor, Best Actor, and Best Villain, cementing his status as one of India’s most celebrated and intense cinematic icons.
