Nana Patekar, a renowned Indian actor and filmmaker, passed away at the age of 75 in his residence in the state of Goa. Reports from the Press Trust of India indicate that Patekar died from a suspected heart attack, as confirmed by a hospital doctor.
Originally named Vishwanath Patekar, he was born in 1951 in Maharashtra, India, and had an illustrious career in Hindi and Marathi cinema that spanned nearly five decades. Patekar was celebrated for his powerful performances, often portraying intricate and unconventional characters.
His acting journey began in the 1978 Hindi movie “Gaman,” and he garnered praise for his roles in “Parinda” and “Krantiveer.” In 1988, he achieved international acclaim with Mira Nair’s Oscar-nominated film “Salaam Bombay!”
Throughout his career, Patekar received three National Film Awards, the highest film accolades in India, and was honored with the Padma Shri, one of the nation’s top civilian awards. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, lauding Patekar’s unique acting style and memorable on-screen presence.
Patekar’s legacy was also shadowed by allegations of sexual misconduct. In 2018, actress Tanushree Dutta accused him of harassment during a film shoot in 2008, sparking a significant discussion within the Indian film industry and contributing to the #MeToo movement in the country.
Despite the controversy, in 2019, Mumbai police closed the investigation due to insufficient evidence to support the allegations. Patekar is survived by his wife and son.