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Vishwanath Patekar, better known as Nana Patekar, was an Indian actor and filmmaker, mainly working in Hindi and Marathi cinema. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors in Indian Cinema, Patekar was recipient of the three National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards, two Maharashtra State Film Awards and Filmfare Awards Marathi for his acting performances. He was bestowed with the Padma Shri award in 2013 for his contribution to cinema and arts.
Nana Patekar Biography:
| Name: | Nana Patekar (Vishwanath Patekar) |
| Born: | 1 January, 1951 Murud-Janjira, Bombay State, India |
| Died: | 8 October, 2026 (aged 75) Dona Paula, Panaji, Goa, India |
| Education: | Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Arts, Mumbai |
| Spouse: | Neelkanti Patekar (m. 1978) 2 Children |
| Years Active: | 1978 – 2026 |
| Occupations: | Actor, Screenwriter, Film maker, Army Officer |
| Honours: |
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| Notable Films: | Natsamrat (2016), Krantiveer (1994), Parinda (1989), Welcome (2007), Ab Tak Chhappan (2004), Prahaar: The Final Attack (1991), The Attacks of 26/11 (2013), Agni Sakshi (1996), Khamoshi: The Musical (1996), Apaharan (2005) |
Born Vishwanath Patekar in Murud – Janjira, Maharashtra, to Dankar Patekar (a painter) and his wife Sangana Patekar. He is an alumnus of the Sir J. J. institute of Applied Arts, Mumbai. During his college years he was active in inter collegiate dramatics. After graduating he has starred in a number of Bollywood movies with some of the most prominent film directors of Bollywood. He is married to Neelakanti Patekar, and they have a son Malhar Patekar.
Nana Patekar is said to have a unique acting style. He is famous for his brash style of delivering his dialogues and his way of speaking reflects his deliverance of the lines. It is widely rumoured that he ad libs all of his lines and is held in high regard for this ability. He is known to give generously to the poor. He is also a sketch artist, a secret not known to the outside world. His sketches have sometimes helped the Mumbai Police to track criminals.
While he acted in movies such as Mohre (1987) and Salaam Bombay! (1988), he was noticed by the mainstream Bollywood industry and audience for his portrayal of the villain in the 1989 film, Parinda. He was awarded the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for the role. He also won the Filmfare Best Villain Award in 1992 for Angaar.
He is very well known for his role in the movie Ab Tak Chappan (2005) in which he plays a police officer whose main task is to rid the streets of underworld dons. In 1994 he won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Krantiveer (1994). He also won the Filmfare Award and the Star Screen Awards in the best actor category.
Patekar has experimented with his roles when it comes to films. He has done the occasional villain role, but has also played a hero in most of his films. He played a truant, gambling son in Krantiveer (1994), a wife beater in Agni Sakshi (1996), a deaf and dumb father in Khamoshi: The Musical (1996) and a schizophrenic in Wajood (1998). At times during his career, it was noted that he was an epitome of the “angry young man” role and that he was well suited for such roles and would carry it on as a forerunner of Amitabh Bachchan and Mithun Chakraborty. Yet, he was also perfect for some of the villainous roles that he has done.
He turned director with his movie Prahaar: The Final Attack co-starring Madhuri Dixit. His other films as an actor include Hu Tu Tu and Bluff Master. He once again gave a good performance in Apaharan, for which he received the Filmfare Best Villain Award as well as the Star Screen Award Best Villain. He is going to be in Sangeeth Sivan’s next film, which is a remake of the Telugu film Athadu (2005) and as the character Anjaneya Prasad (CBI Officer), Which was originally played by Prakash Raj.
Patekar has also done some playback singing in the films Yeshwant (1997), Wajood (1998) and Aanch (2003).
Philanthropy
Nana Patekar known for his simple lifestyle has been generous in donating to charities. He contributed money towards rebuilding of the flood ravaged villages in Bihar through the charitable organisation Anubhuthi. All the monetary remuneration he obtained for his performance in the movie Paathshaala was donated by him to five different charitable organisations. When he was awarded the Raj Kapoor award which carries a cash prize of Rs 10,00,000, he donated the entire amount towards drought relief activities in Maharashtra. He also provided financial aid to families of farmers who committed suicide due to indebtedness brought about by drought. He distributed cheques worth Rs 15,000 to 62 families of farmers from Vidarbha region in August 2015 and another 113 families from Latur and Osmanabad districts of Marathwada in September 2015.
Using a Twitter campaign with the hash tag I care I support, Nana Patekar was able to obtain funds to help Maharashtra Drought victims.
Updated: 08/10/2026
Nana Patekar biography: From ‘Gaman’ and ‘Krantiveer’ to ‘Natsamrat’ and ‘Welcome’; National Award-winning actor; A peek into the veteran actor’s simple life
Nana Patekar, born Vishwanath Patekar on January 1, 1951, in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra, became one of Indian cinema’s most respected actors. He worked across Hindi and Marathi cinema as an actor, writer and filmmaker.
Nana Patekar passed away on October 8, 2026, at the age of 75. His career spanned more than four decades and included acclaimed dramatic performances, commercial successes and memorable comic roles.
Nana Patekar’s early years and film career
Nana Patekar made his Hindi film debut with ‘Gaman‘ in 1978. He subsequently appeared in several Marathi and Hindi productions, gradually establishing himself through intense supporting performances. His work in films such as ‘Aaj Ki Awaz‘, ‘Ankush‘, ‘Pratighaat‘, ‘Andha Yudh‘, ‘Mohre’, ‘Trishagni’ and ‘Sagar Sangam’ brought him wider recognition. His performance in ‘Andha Yudh’ also earned him his first Filmfare Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. In 1986, Nana Patekar portrayed Nathuram Godse in the British television series ‘Lord Mountbatten: The Last Viceroy‘. His international recognition grew after he appeared in the Academy Award-nominated ‘Salaam Bombay!‘ in 1988.
National Awards and memorable performances
Nana Patekar’s reputation as a powerful performer strengthened during the 1990s. He starred in films including ‘Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman’, ‘Angaar’, ‘Tirangaa’, ‘Krantiveer’, ‘Agni Sakshi’ and ‘Khamoshi: The Musical’. His performance in ‘Angaar’ earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Villain. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for ‘Krantiveer’ and another National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for ‘Agni Sakshi’. His later work included ‘Shakti: The Power’, ‘Ab Tak Chhappan’, ‘Apaharan’, ‘Taxi No. 9211’ and ‘Raajneeti’. He reached a different section of the audience with his portrayal of gangster Uday Shetty in ‘Welcome’ and ‘Welcome Back’. In 2016, Nana Patekar received acclaim for ‘Natsamrat’. He played a retired stage actor in the Marathi film. The actor received the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contribution to cinema and the arts. His honors also included three National Film Awards and two Maharashtra State Film Awards.
Nana Patekar’s simple lifestyle and love for villages
Despite his success, Nana Patekar was known for maintaining a relatively modest lifestyle. He spent much of his adult life in a one-bedroom apartment in Andheri, Mumbai, as reported by News 18. The roughly 750-square-foot home was reportedly bought for about Rs 1.1 lakh decades ago. Its estimated value later rose to around Rs 3 crore. He also owned properties in Goa and Pune. Reports said his largest property was a 27-acre farmhouse in Khadakwasla near Pune. Nana Patekar once explained his preference for village life during an appearance on ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ with Amitabh Bachchan. “I don’t belong to the industry,” Patekar said, in Hindi. “I come here, work and run back. I’ve never gone to parties here. It never suited me. I’m from the villages and I’ll remain there. That’s where I feel good.” He also spoke about keeping his needs limited. “When your needs are limited, life becomes very easy,” he said. Describing the surroundings of his village home, he added, “Here, we have hills: hills on this side, hills on that side, hills on all sides, and we sit in the middle.”
Nana Patekar’s Army connection and final appearance
Nana Patekar’s association with the Indian Army went beyond his film roles. He trained with the Maratha Light Infantry for three years while preparing for ‘Prahaar: The Final Attack’. He was later given an honorary Captain’s rank in the Territorial Army. During the Kargil War in 1999, he obtained special permission from then Defence Minister George Fernandes to spend time near the Line of Control.
Nana Patekar spent more than two weeks there as part of a Quick Reaction Team. According to his account to The Lallantop, he lost around 20 kg during the experience. His final public appearance came on October 4, just days before his death. He attended the Samraat Club International installation ceremony in Dona Paula, Goa.
During the event, he spoke about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his friendship with former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. He also reflected on mortality, purpose and the uncertainty surrounding life. Nana Patekar remembered Manohar Parrikar as a close friend. He spoke about the former chief minister’s commitment to public service and recalled his willingness to personally get involved in difficult situations. The actor questioned whether life should be limited to looking after one’s family. He also spoke about the importance of contributing to society.
Nana Patekar’s family and personal losses
Nana Patekar experienced financial difficulties during his childhood. Reports said his family’s business was taken over by an acquaintance when he was 13. He later painted movie posters in Chunabhatti and reportedly earned Rs 35 a month. His father died of a heart attack when Nana Patekar was 28. The actor also faced the loss of his elder son, Durvasa, who died at the age of two and a half. Nana Patekar is survived by his son, Malhar. From a difficult childhood to becoming a National Award-winning performer, Nana Patekar’s journey remained closely linked to cinema, theatre, rural life and social responsibility.
Death
In the early morning hours of 8 October, 2026, Patekar had severe pain in his chest at his home in Goa, post which a medical team was dispatched to his home. He was found unconscious and, after a CPR attempt, was taken to the Manipal hospital, Goa where he was declared dead at 5:20 A.M. due to cardiac arrest on the same day.
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