Nana Patekar, a renowned Indian actor and filmmaker, passed away at the age of 75 in his residence in the state of Goa on Thursday. The Press Trust of India news agency reported that Patekar had a suspected heart attack, as confirmed by a doctor at the hospital where he was declared deceased.
Born Vishawanath Patekar in 1951 in Maharashtra, India, he had a successful career in Hindi and Marathi cinema that spanned almost five decades. Known for his powerful performances, Patekar often portrayed intricate and non-traditional characters.
He made his debut in the 1978 Hindi film “Gaman” and later gained recognition for his roles in “Parinda” and “Krantiveer.” His international acclaim rose in 1988 with Mira Nair’s Oscar-nominated film “Salaam Bombay!”
Patekar was honored with three National Film Awards, the highest film awards in India, and was bestowed with the Padma Shri, one of the nation’s prestigious civilian honors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, lauding Patekar’s exceptional acting skills and unique presence on screen.
Modi praised Patekar for his versatility and creativity in every role, creating characters that will be cherished for generations to come. Patekar’s career was marred by allegations of sexual harassment, with actor Tanushree Dutta accusing him of inappropriate behavior during a film shoot in 2008.
Patekar refuted the allegations, sparking a significant dialogue within India’s film industry and becoming a focal point of the country’s #MeToo movement. In 2019, Mumbai police closed the investigation due to insufficient evidence to support the complaint. Patekar is survived by his wife and son.