Nana Patekar’s wife had quit IIT for films. Who is Neelakanti Patekar?

Actor Nana Patekar is no more. The Bollywood veteran died at 5:20 am on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Department of Oncology at Manipal Hospital, confirmed the news to ANI. He was 75 years old. Nana Patekar is survived by his wife, Neelakanti Patekar, and son, Malhar Patekar. While Nana was one of the most recognised actors in Hindi and Marathi cinema, his wife Neelakanti also had a career in Marathi theatre and films.

All you need to know about Nana Patekar's wife Neelakanti Patekar

Nana Patekar and Neelakanti first met through Marathi theatre. At the time, Neelakanti was working as a bank officer while also pursuing her interest in acting. The two eventually became friends, and their relationship grew into love. They got married in 1978.

The early years together were years of happiness and personal tragedy. They became parents to a son, but their first child died at the age of two and a half. They later welcomed their second son, Malhar.


Neelakanti’s path to acting wasn’t the usual one. Born in Pune, she grew up in different cities because her father worked in the Central Excise Department and was frequently transferred. She studied Physics and, at her father's insistence, appeared for the IIT entrance examination. She cleared the examination but chose to follow her interest in theatre instead.

Neelakanti’s acting career and awards

Although Neelakanti had an academic background in Physics, acting remained her passion. She became actively involved in Marathi theatre and built a reputation as a performer. She won the Gold Medal for Best Actress at the Maharashtra State Drama Competition in 1973.

Her work later extended to Marathi cinema. In 1989, she appeared in Aatm Vishwas, directed by and starring Sachin Pilgaonkar. Neelakanti played the lead role opposite Pilgaonkar and received the Maharashtra State Government's Best Actress award for her performance.

After spending years away from the spotlight, Neelakanti made a comeback to acting. She was seen in Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna's historical drama Chhaava, where she played Dharau.

Why did Nana Patekar and Neelakanti live separately?

Nana and Neelakanti remained married but eventually began living separately. In a previous interview, reported by Indian Express, Nana had spoken about their relationship and said, "Nilkanti and I shared numerous years of happiness together. We supported each other through thick and thin. But, over the years, we developed certain irreconcilable differences and grew apart. Today, we continue to be married but stay separately."

The couple's relationship had also faced a devastating personal loss with the death of their first son. Their second son, Malhar, later became an important part of their family.

Meanwhile, Nana continued to remain active in films during the later years of his career. He appeared in Housefull 5 alongside Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh. He also played a police officer in Vishal Bhardwaj's O'Romeo, starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, and had a cameo in Subedar, featuring Anil Kapoor and Radhikka Madan.

Nana's death at 75 marks the end of a long career that spanned Hindi and Marathi cinema.