Nana Patekar, 75, died at 5:20 AM on Thursday after a cardiac arrest at his home in Goa. Shah Rukh Khan paid an emotional tribute on X (formerly Twitter), calling him his 'hero actor' and remembering his intensity, laughter, madness and love.
Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Suniel Shetty, Kangana Ranaut, Kiara Advani and Jr NTR are among many others who paid their respects.
Bollywood Remembers Nana Patekar
Recalling their first meeting, Shah Rukh Khan wrote, "When I first met him, out of awe and awkwardness I fiddled with my hair. He slapped my hand away and said 'hero ki tarah Baal mat bana...tu actor hai'!"
Shah Rukh also remembered Patekar as a mentor, teacher, critic and friend. He spoke fondly of their carrom games together.
He wrote that Patekar's presence, laughter and affection would stay with everyone who knew him.
Shah Rukh ended his tribute by remembering Patekar as both a masterful actor and a fierce carrom player.
When I first met him, out of awe and awkwardness I fiddled with my hair. He slapped my hand away and said 'hero ki tarah Baal mat bana...tu actor hai'! He didn't flatter you. He didn't tell you what you wanted to hear. He told you what you needed to hear. That was Nana. Straightforward. Rough, honest and had the most beautiful smile. He always had a strange way of showing affection. He would shout at you first, and then somewhere between the third or fourth insult, you realised you were being hugged. He loved me and I loved him back. He was a mentor, a teacher, a critic and a friend who beat me and everyone else around him in carrom game after game and relished his victories. Nana your intensity, laughter , madness and love will always stay with us. I just wish we had time to have more conversations, another argument, another cup of tea and a game of carrom. You have left a void not only in the world of cinema but in the hearts of all Indians and the world. All I can say is, I will miss you dearly and carry your words in my heart till the end of time....'hero banne ke chakar mein actor mat khona' May your soul rest in peace Nana and Allah bless you. The Heavens will be blessed to have you... a masterful actor and an unbeatable carrom champion. Love you and miss you dearly!! Too soon my Hero Actor! RIP.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) October 8, 2026
The two actors worked together in the 1992 romantic comedy Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, directed by Aziz Mirza. They also shared the screen in the 2002 film Shakti: The Power.
Akshay Kumar, who shared screen space with Patekar in Welcome and Housefull 5, wrote an emotional note. He spoke warmly about their time on the sets of both films. He also described Patekar as a rare screen presence and an artist who was 'completely his own'.
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"Really saddened by the news of Nana ji's passing. He was one of those rare actors who never needed to do too much to make you sit up and watch. That voice, that intensity, that honesty in every performance… he was completely his own."
Really saddened by the news of Nana ji’s passing. He was one of those rare actors who never needed to do too much to make you sit up and watch. That voice, that intensity, that honesty in every performance… he was completely his own. I feel fortunate that we got to work together in Welcome, and then again more recently in Housefull 5. There are so many memories from those sets that I’ll always hold close. Nana ji was truly one of a kind. It’s hard to believe you’re gone. Thank you for all the memories. You will be missed more than words can say. 🙏
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) October 8, 2026
Riteish Deshmukh said he was left speechless, as if lightning had struck his heart. He called it his good fortune to have shared the screen with Patekar in Bluffmaster and Housefull 5. He added that his wish to work with him in a Marathi film will stay unfulfilled and will haunt him for the rest of his life.
आज शब्द थिजले आहेत, काळजावर जणू वीज कोसळली आहे. नाना गेले... या एका वाक्याने मन सुन्न, निःशब्द झाले आहे. तुम्ही अभिनयाचे आकाश होतात, ज्याला तुलनेची सीमा नव्हती. तुमच्या अनोख्या शैलीने रसिकांच्या हृदयात तुम्ही अढळ घर केले. कधी पडद्यावरचा तेजस्वी नायक, कधी अंगावर शहारे आणणारा खलनायक, तर कधी गंभीर चेहऱ्यामागचा खट्याळ विनोद, प्रत्येक रंग तुमच्या अभिनयात खुलून आला. पडद्यावर तुम्ही हीरो होतात, पण पडद्यामागे त्याहूनही मोठे. तुमच्या संस्थेतून वाहत राहिली माणुसकीची निरंतर धारा. 'ब्लफमास्टर' आणि 'हाउसफुल ५' मध्ये तुमच्यासोबत पडदा वाटून घेतला, हे माझे भाग्य. पण एका मराठी चित्रपटात तुमच्यासोबत काम करणे, ही अपूर्ण ओढ आयुष्यभर उरी राहील. तुमचे बोल, तुमच्या गप्पा, पाठीवरची ती कौतुकाची थाप, सोबत केलेले ते खळखळते हसू, ही माझी करी कमाई. कुटुंबीयांना, आप्तेष्टांना आणि लाखो चाहत्यांना माझी मनःपूर्वक सांत्वना. खरच आज एका युगाचा अस्त झाला आहे. भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली. 🙏
— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) October 8, 2026
Jr NTR said Patekar's contribution to cinema will be remembered across generations. He also spoke about the honesty the veteran actor brought to every role.
Deeply saddened by the passing of Nana Patekar sir, one of Indian cinema’s finest actors. There was an unmistakable honesty and intensity in every character he portrayed. His performances never felt like acting, but life unfolding on screen. A remarkable artist whose contribution to Indian cinema will be remembered for generations. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Om Shanti 🙏
— Jr NTR (@tarak9999) October 8, 2026
Suniel Shetty said he was shocked by the news. He remembered Patekar as a man who stayed grounded no matter how successful he became.
Absolutely shocking!!! They don’t make men like you anymore. So deeply rooted no matter how high you rose. Unapologetically yourself, fiercely honest and a master of your craft. There was only one Nana. There will never be another. Rest in peace Bhau... Cinema won't be the same without you.
— Suniel Shetty (@SunielVShetty) October 8, 2026
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Kangana Ranaut expressed her shock and wrote, "Such terrible and tragic news especially because Nana ji looked so fit and healthy. Om Shanti," with a hand fold emoji.
Urmila Matondkar, who worked with Nana Patekar in the 2003 supernatural horror thriller Bhoot, mourned his death in an Instagram Story.
Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani also paid tribute on their Instagram Stories.
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Nana Patekar's death has shaken the film industry. Colleagues and fans remember him for his honest performances and fierce presence, qualities that made him one of Indian cinema's finest actors.
FAQs
1. Who all paid tributes to Nana Patekar?
Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Suniel Shetty, Jr NTR, Kangana Ranaut, Urmila Matondkar, Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra have paid respects so far.
2. What arrangements have been made for Nana Patekar's funeral?
The Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, announced that the veteran actor will be accorded a full state funeral in honor of his decades of contributions to cinema and theatre.
3. Where will Nana Patekar's last rites take place?
As per his final wishes, the actor will be cremated at his farmhouse in Pune.