Nana Patekar passes away: Fadnavis, film fraternity mourn a 'towering' actor
Veteran actor Nana Patekar, whose fierce screen presence and unvarnished style made him one of the most distinctive performers of Marathi and Hindi cinema, has passed away. The news was reported by the news agency PTI on October 8, 2026. Further details, including the circumstances of his death, were not immediately available.
Among the first official reactions was a condolence message from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who said Indian cinema had lost "a towering face of acting and sensitivity".
Mr. Fadnavis said Mr. Patekar's contribution to Marathi and Hindi cinema was unparalleled, and that he had given both industries a distinct era through his powerful performances.
"Indian cinema received, in Nana, a rugged yet equally sensitive actor from the soil of Maharashtra. He was as large-hearted as he was a towering presence on screen," the Chief Minister said.
He added that Mr. Patekar's portrayals — from Krantiveer to Natsamrat — reflected the depth and range of his craft, and described his death as a major loss to the film world.
Mr. Fadnavis also recalled the actor's social work through the Naam Foundation, which Mr. Patekar established along with fellow actor Makarand Anaspure. The foundation has worked with farmers and extended assistance during droughts in Maharashtra.
"Nana always remained at the forefront when it came to helping farmers and extending a helping hand during droughts. Even this year, as we face drought, he would not have stayed away, but he has suddenly left us," the Chief Minister said.
Mr. Patekar, born in Mumbai in 1951, came to cinema from the Marathi stage. He first drew wide attention in Muzaffar Ali's Gaman (1978) and went on to build a career that moved between brooding, intense roles and popular commercial films. He won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Parinda (1989) and the National Film Award for Best Actor for Krantiveer (1994).
Other widely remembered performances include Tirangaa, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Ab Tak Chhappan, Apaharan and Welcome. In 2016, he played the lead in Natsamrat, the film adaptation of Kusumagraj's celebrated Marathi play, a role that many critics regarded as a summation of his craft. He remained active in Marathi cinema and public life in the years that followed.
Outside films, the Naam Foundation, set up in 2015, became the most visible of his public commitments. Its work in drought-affected districts of Maharashtra, including water conservation and support for farming families, kept him in the news well beyond cinema.
Tributes were also being paid from across the film industry, with actors, directors and producers from both Marathi and Hindi cinema expressing grief. Individual statements were still coming in at the time of reporting.
Mr. Patekar's death comes as Maharashtra faces drought conditions, a subject he had spoken about publicly in recent months through the foundation's work.
This report is part of continuing coverage and will be updated as more information becomes available.
