Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar, known for his intense performances and distinct dialogue delivery, has died at the age of 75 in Goa, his son Malhar told BBC Marathi.
Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar, known for his intense performances and distinct dialogue delivery, has died at the age of 75 in Goa, his son Malhar told BBC Marathi.
One of the most recognisable faces of Indian cinema, Patekar won three National Film Awards and became known for playing complex, often volatile characters. He was also a prominent figure in Marathi language cinema and theatre.
One of the most recognisable faces of Indian cinema, Patekar won three National Film Awards and became known for playing complex, often volatile characters. He was also a prominent figure in Marathi language cinema and theatre.
He was rushed to hospital after being found unconscious at his home in Goa in the early hours of Thursday.
He was rushed to hospital after being found unconscious at his home in Goa in the early hours of Thursday.
"Despite 45 minutes of continuous CPR, he could not be revived," Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital in Goa told ANI news agency.
"Despite 45 minutes of continuous CPR, he could not be revived," Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital in Goa told ANI news agency.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes to the actor, praising Patekar's versatility and outspoken personality.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes to the actor, praising Patekar's versatility and outspoken personality.
Patekar portrayed characters that would "remain etched in the memory of generations", Modi wrote on X, adding that his death had left "a vast void in the artistic world".
Patekar portrayed characters that would "remain etched in the memory of generations", Modi wrote on X, adding that his death had left "a vast void in the artistic world".
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, who appeared alongside Patekar in the comedy film Welcome, remembered him as a rare performer whose voice, intensity and honesty could command an audience's attention.
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, who appeared alongside Patekar in the comedy film Welcome, remembered him as a rare performer whose voice, intensity and honesty could command an audience's attention.
Patekar made his debut with the film Gaman in 1978 and continued to play smaller roles in several films. But the intensity that he brought on the screen was hard to miss and soon he landed a role in Parinda in 1989, making him a household name across India. His portrayal of the volatile, gritty gangster Anna won him his first National Film Award and the Filmfare Award.
Patekar made his debut with the film Gaman in 1978 and continued to play smaller roles in several films. But the intensity that he brought on the screen was hard to miss and soon he landed a role in Parinda in 1989, making him a household name across India. His portrayal of the volatile, gritty gangster Anna won him his first National Film Award and the Filmfare Award.
He didn't look back after this and played many memorable characters in several films through the 1990s. The range of the characters he played showcased the depth of his acting talent and mastery over his craft.
He didn't look back after this and played many memorable characters in several films through the 1990s. The range of the characters he played showcased the depth of his acting talent and mastery over his craft.
His portrayal of Major Chauhan in Prahaar – a film he also directed – won him praise. Then there was the villainous character of Majid Khan in Angaar, the patriotic firebrand of Tirangaa, and, most notably, Pratap Narayan Tilak in Krantiveer, for which he won the national award for best actor.
His portrayal of Major Chauhan in Prahaar – a film he also directed – won him praise. Then there was the villainous character of Majid Khan in Angaar, the patriotic firebrand of Tirangaa, and, most notably, Pratap Narayan Tilak in Krantiveer, for which he won the national award for best actor.
Just when critics thought that playing loud characters was his mainstay, he proved them wrong by delivering a mesmerising performance in Khamoshi as a person who could not hear or speak.
Just when critics thought that playing loud characters was his mainstay, he proved them wrong by delivering a mesmerising performance in Khamoshi as a person who could not hear or speak.
Director Prakash Jha's Rajneeti in 2010 added another dimension to his acting as his portrayal of an astute politician was delivered with perfection.
Director Prakash Jha's Rajneeti in 2010 added another dimension to his acting as his portrayal of an astute politician was delivered with perfection.
The breadth of Patekar's career showcases the wide range of his work. He has played gangsters, soldiers, policemen, politicians, patriots, villains, comic characters and tragic figures, while moving between Hindi and Marathi cinema and sometimes also working behind the camera as a director and writer.
The breadth of Patekar's career showcases the wide range of his work. He has played gangsters, soldiers, policemen, politicians, patriots, villains, comic characters and tragic figures, while moving between Hindi and Marathi cinema and sometimes also working behind the camera as a director and writer.
His three national awards for Parinda, Krantiveer and Agni Sakshi are a testament to his career.
His three national awards for Parinda, Krantiveer and Agni Sakshi are a testament to his career.
Patekar was also an influential figure in both Marathi and Hindi theatre. Before cinema made him a familiar face, he spent years working in theatre, where he developed his gritty style of dialogue delivery and also mastered the intensity he brought to his on-screen characters.
Patekar was also an influential figure in both Marathi and Hindi theatre. Before cinema made him a familiar face, he spent years working in theatre, where he developed his gritty style of dialogue delivery and also mastered the intensity he brought to his on-screen characters.
Purush and Hamidabai Chi Kothi were two of his most famous plays. Despite being successful in films, he remained active in theatre throughout his professional life.
Purush and Hamidabai Chi Kothi were two of his most famous plays. Despite being successful in films, he remained active in theatre throughout his professional life.
Patekar was also known for his activism and didn't mince his words while criticising the government of the day. He was direct, and almost brazen and unapologetic, when it came to criticising ministers and their policies and that too quite publicly.
Patekar was also known for his activism and didn't mince his words while criticising the government of the day. He was direct, and almost brazen and unapologetic, when it came to criticising ministers and their policies and that too quite publicly.
Issues related to farmers were particularly close to his heart.
Issues related to farmers were particularly close to his heart.
His work moved beyond just giving statements. In 2015 he and actor Makarand Anaspure established the Naam Foundation, which has worked on farmer welfare and water conservation in Maharashtra.
His work moved beyond just giving statements. In 2015 he and actor Makarand Anaspure established the Naam Foundation, which has worked on farmer welfare and water conservation in Maharashtra.
But his career was not without controversies.
But his career was not without controversies.
In 2018, allegations of sexual harassment made by actor Tanushree Dutta against Patekar over an alleged incident on a film set a decade earlier helped spark India's #MeToo movement. Patekar denied the allegations.
In 2018, allegations of sexual harassment made by actor Tanushree Dutta against Patekar over an alleged incident on a film set a decade earlier helped spark India's #MeToo movement. Patekar denied the allegations.
India's #MeToo movementIn 2019, he was cleared of the charges after police said they had not found sufficient evidence against him.
In 2019, he was cleared of the charges after police said they had not found sufficient evidence against him.
