Nana Patekar, a highly regarded Indian actor and filmmaker, passed away on Thursday at his residence in Goa, a state in western India. He was 75 years old. The Press Trust of India news agency reported that Patekar’s death was due to a suspected heart attack, as confirmed by a doctor at the hospital where he was declared deceased.
Born as Vishawanath Patekar in 1951 in Maharashtra, a state in western India, he established a successful career spanning nearly five decades in both Hindi and Marathi cinema. Patekar was renowned for his powerful performances, often portraying intricate and unconventional characters.
His cinematic journey began in 1978 with the Hindi film “Gaman,” and he later achieved critical acclaim for movies such as “Parinda” and “Krantiveer.” In 1988, he gained international recognition through his role in Mira Nair’s Oscar-nominated “Salaam Bombay!”
Patekar was honored with three National Film Awards, the highest film accolades in India, and was also bestowed with the Padma Shri, one of the country’s most prestigious civilian awards.
Following his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, lauding Patekar’s exceptional acting skills, uniqueness, and commanding presence on screen. Modi praised his diverse talents and innovative character portrayals that will be cherished for generations to come.
Throughout his career, Patekar faced allegations of sexual harassment. In 2018, actress Tanushree Dutta accused him of misconduct and inappropriate behavior on a film set in 2008. Patekar refuted the claims, triggering widespread discussions within the Indian film industry and becoming a pivotal moment in the country’s #MeToo movement.
In 2019, the Mumbai police concluded their investigation, citing insufficient evidence to support the allegations. Patekar is survived by his wife and son.