'Still can’t believe…': How Bollywood reacted to legendary actor Nana Patekar’s death at 75

Veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away at the age of 75 on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. His death has left the Hindi and Marathi film industries mourning one of Indian cinema’s most distinctive performers. Several actors who worked with Patekar, including Riteish Deshmukh and Akshay Kumar, remembered the late actor and spoke about his impact on their careers and on audiences.

Patekar was known for his intense performances, distinctive voice and ability to move between serious drama and comedy with ease. As tributes poured in, celebrities recalled not only his talent but also their personal experiences of working with him.

Bollywood pays tribute to Nana Patekar

Riteish Deshmukh, who shared the screen with Nana Patekar in Bluffmaster! and Housefull 5, expressed shock over the actor’s death.




He wrote, "Nana is gone... This single sentence has left my mind numb, speechless. You were the sky of acting, boundless in comparison. With your unique style, you built an unshakable home in the hearts of audiences. Sometimes the radiant hero on screen, sometimes the villain who sent shivers down the spine, or the mischievous humor behind a serious face— Every shade came alive in your acting. On screen, you were the hero, but behind the scenes, even greater. Through your institution, the eternal stream of humanity continued to flow. Sharing the screen with you in Bluffmaster and Housefull 5 was my fortune. But working with you in a Marathi film—This unfulfilled longing will haunt me for life. Your words, your chats, that pat of appreciation on the back. The hearty laughter we shared—these are my true earnings. My heartfelt condolences to the family, loved ones, and millions of fans. Truly, today marks the end of an era."




Akshay Kumar, who worked with Patekar in Welcome and Housefull 5, also mourned the actor’s death. He remembered Patekar as someone who could hold an audience’s attention without relying on exaggerated performances.


Akshay talked about Nana Patekar’s voice, intensity and honesty as qualities that made him stand apart from his contemporaries. He said he felt fortunate to have worked alongside the veteran actor and expressed disbelief over his passing.

Actress Manisha Koirala took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, "Deeply saddened by the passing of a great actor, a remarkable presence and a true stalwart of the craft.
His contribution to cinema and his dedication to his craft will always be remembered.
May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti."


Actor Adil Hussain also paid tribute to Patekar. Remembering him with affection, Hussain said the news was difficult to believe and acknowledged the influence Patekar’s work had on generations of performers, including himself.



Farhan Akhtar took to Instagram and paid his tribute to the Parinda actor. He wrote, "Here are some who leave a void in their absence. Nana Patekar was one such person, whose presence could fill up a room and he was a generational talent who commanded our attention when on screen.
His work in the arts and his commitment to social causes remain an inspiration to us all.
RIP. You will be missed sir but never forgotten."

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"I can’t believe my dear friend Nanaji is no longer with us. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace," Rajinikanth wrote.

Nana Patekar’s five-decade career

According to Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Department of Oncology at Manipal Hospital, Patekar suffered a cardiac arrest at his Goa residence at around 5.20 am. Doctors attempted CPR for about 45 minutes, but he could not be revived and remained in asystole during the resuscitation efforts.



Born Vishwanath Patekar, the actor began his film career with Gaman in 1978. He went on to establish himself as a major name in both Hindi and Marathi cinema, with acclaimed performances in films such as Parinda, Prahar, Angaar, Krantiveer, Tiranga, Khamoshi and Ab Tak Chhappan.

Patekar also showed a different side of his acting in popular films such as Welcome, where his portrayal of Uday Shetty introduced his work to a wider mainstream audience.

Even in his later years, Patekar remained active. He appeared in Housefull 5 and played a police officer in Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’ Romeo, starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri. He also had a cameo in Subedar, featuring Anil Kapoor and Radhika Madan.