Veteran actor Nana Patekar , one of the most respected performers in Hindi and Marathi cinema, has died at the age of 75. The actor, whose career spanned more than four decades, was found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, following a cardiac arrest.
Born Vishwanath Patekar on January 1, 1951 in Maharashtra, Nana began his film career with the 1978 drnama Gaman. His contribution to cinema and the arts was recognised with the Padma Shri in 2013. He also became a hugely popular mainstream actor through films such as Welcome, where his portrayal of the eccentric gangster Uday Shetty introduced his work to a new generation of audiences.
He went on to establish himself as an actor capable of bringing unusual intensity to his performances. Patekar’s performance as Krantiveer earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor, while his work in Agni Sakshi brought him another National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. Beyond acting, Patekar was also a director and theatre artiste. He directed Prahaar: The Final Attack, a film centred on the lives and struggles of soldiers.
