Nana Patekar, a renowned Indian actor and filmmaker, passed away at the age of 75 in his residence in Goa, a western state in India. The cause of his death is believed to be a cardiac arrest, as reported by the Press Trust of India citing a doctor from the hospital where he was declared deceased.
Born Vishwanath Patekar in 1951 in Maharashtra, a western Indian state, he had a successful career in Hindi and Marathi cinema that spanned close to five decades. Patekar was known for his powerful performances, often portraying intricate and unconventional characters.
He started his film journey in the 1978 Hindi movie “Gaman” and later gained recognition for his roles in “Parinda” and “Krantiveer.” His international fame rose in 1988 with Mira Nair’s Oscar-nominated film “Salaam Bombay!”
Patekar was honored with three National Film Awards and received the prestigious Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, lauding Patekar’s unique acting style and impact on the industry.
His career faced controversies, notably accusations of sexual harassment. In 2018, actress Tanushree Dutta accused him of inappropriate behavior during a film shoot in 2008. Patekar denied the allegations, sparking discussions within the Indian film industry and aligning with the country’s #MeToo movement.
In 2019, Mumbai police closed the investigation due to insufficient evidence supporting the complaint. Nana Patekar is survived by his wife and son.