Indian actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar dies at 75

Veteran Indian actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar died Thursday at his home in Goa. He was 75.

Patekar died of a suspected cardiac arrest, the Press Trust of India reported, quoting a doctor at the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Born in Maharashtra in 1951, Patekar had a career spanning nearly five decades in Hindi and Marathi cinema. He was widely known for his powerful performances and for playing complex and unconventional characters.

Patekar made his film debut in the 1978 Hindi movie “Gaman.” He later earned praise for his roles in “Parinda” and “Krantiveer.”

He gained international attention with Mira Nair’s Oscar-nominated film “Salaam Bombay!”

Patekar won three National Film Awards, India’s highest film honors, and received the Padma Shri, one of the country’s highest civilian awards.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over his death and praised Patekar for his “intensity, individuality and unmistakable presence” as an actor.

“He brought remarkable versatility and creativity to every role and gave us characters that will be remembered for generations,” Modi wrote on X.

Patekar is survived by his wife and son.

Source: UNB