Actor Nana Patekar died from a heart attack triggered by a blood clot in the left main coronary artery, according to his autopsy report, a senior doctor at the state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital said on Sunday. The 75-year-old actor was taken from his home in Dona Paula, near Panaji, to a private hospital in the early hours of October 8. Despite 45 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, doctors were unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead at 5.10 am.
Patekar’s body was subsequently taken to Goa Medical College and Hospital for a post-mortem examination. It was then flown to Pune before being transported to his farmhouse in Donje village, where his last rites were performed with full state honours.
According to the doctor, Patekar suffered a heart attack when a blood clot obstructed the left main coronary artery, which supplies blood to a substantial portion of the heart. The post-mortem report listed the cause of death as "acute myocardial infarction due to left main coronary artery thrombosis secondary to atherosclerotic occlusive coronary artery disease, a natural cause of death".
Doctors at the private hospital had earlier said they suspected a heart attack. They explained that Patekar’s caretaker had contacted the hospital requesting an ambulance, reporting that the actor was unwell. An ambulance was dispatched to his apartment, located less than a kilometre from the hospital. Medical staff performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 45 minutes but could not save him.
Last rites held in Pune with full state honours
Patekar’s son, Malhar, travelled to Goa to bring his father’s body back. It was taken to Pune and then transported to the family’s farmhouse in Donje village, near Khadakwasla on the city’s outskirts. The funeral was conducted there later that night with full state honours.
Responding to questions about why the cremation took place that same night, Malhar said the family believed a significant amount of time had already elapsed since the tragedy occurred early in the morning, prompting them to hold the last rites on the same day. He also discussed continuing his father’s legacy through the Naam Foundation, which works in areas including water conservation, education and healthcare.
Those who attended the funeral included Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Union Ministers Ramdas Athawale and Murlidhar Mohol, Lok Sabha MP Sunil Tatkare, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, former Maharashtra State Women’s Commission chairperson Roopali Chakankar, Bhai Jagtap, Naam Foundation co-founder and actor Makarand Anaspure, FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, actors Jackie Shroff and Pravin Tarde, filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala, director Anil Sharma, along with several figures from Bollywood, politics, sports and other fields.
A look at Nana Patekar’s illustrious film career
Patekar made his screen debut with Gaman in 1978 after beginning his career in Marathi theatre. Over the years, he established himself through performances spanning intense drama, vulnerability, menace and comedy. He continued appearing in Hindi and Marathi films, including The Vaccine War, Vanvaas, Housefull 5 and O’Romeo. His contributions to cinema earned him three National Film Awards, several Filmfare honours and the Padma Shri.
