New Delhi: BJP leaders, including Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and Nitin Gadkari, Thursday condoled the demise of veteran actor Nana Patekar, saying he was an institution in himself who immortalised many characters.
Patekar, known for his versatility and powerful screen presence, passed away at his Goa residence early Thursday. He was 76.
In a post on X, Defence Minister Singh said, “The passing of veteran actor Nana Patekar is an irreparable loss to Indian cinema”.
“He could make audiences laugh with impeccable comic timing, yet in films like Ankush, Prahaar, and Krantiveer he brought a rawness and gravitas that made every character unforgettable. His voice, presence and ability to inhabit completely different worlds made him truly unique,” he said.
Patekar was “not merely an actor” but “an institution in himself”, Singh said, adding that his contribution to Indian cinema would continue to inspire generations.
The passing of veteran actor Nana Patekar is an irreparable loss to Indian cinema.
Few actors possessed his extraordinary versatility and intensity. He could make audiences laugh with impeccable comic timing, yet in films like Ankush, Prahaar, and Krantiveer he brought a rawness and gravitas that made every character unforgettable. His voice, presence and ability to inhabit completely different worlds made him truly unique.
Nana Patekar was not merely an actor; he was an institution in himself. His remarkable contribution to Indian cinema will continue to inspire generations.
My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and countless admirers. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti!
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 8, 2026
Home Minister Shah said the passing of the great Indian cinema actor is an “irreparable loss to the world of art”.
“Over five decades, with his natural acting and powerful dialogue delivery, he left an indelible mark on the hearts of audiences. Whether it was serious social issues or humour-satire, he brought to life every character he portrayed,” Shah said.
“Through the ‘Naam Foundation,’ serving drought-stricken farmer families, or going to the border to boost the morale of soldiers, even after reaching the pinnacle of fame, he remained connected to his roots. Whenever I met him, his simplicity and straightforwardness always left a deep impression,” he added.
भारतीय सिनेमा के महान अभिनेता नाना पाटेकर जी का निधन कला जगत के लिए एक अपूरणीय क्षति है। पांच दशकों तक उन्होंने अपने सहज अभिनय और सशक्त संवाद अदायगी से दर्शकों के मन पर अमिट छाप छोड़ी। गंभीर सामाजिक विषय हों या हास्य-व्यंग्य, उन्होंने जिस किरदार को निभाया, उसे जीवंत बना दिया। ‘नाम फाउंडेशन’ के माध्यम से सूखे से जूझ रहे किसान परिवारों की सेवा हो या सीमा पर जाकर जवानों का हौसला बढ़ाना, वे ख्याति के शिखर पर पहुंचकर भी अपनी मिट्टी से जुड़े रहे। जब भी उनसे मिलना हुआ, उनकी सरलता व स्पष्टवादिता ने सदैव प्रभावित किया। ईश्वर शोकाकुल परिजनों व प्रशंसकों को यह दु:ख सहने की शक्ति प्रदान करें और दिवंगत आत्मा को अपने श्रीचरणों में स्थान दें।
ॐ शांति शांति शांति— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 8, 2026
Recalling the close bond she shared with the actor, BJP leader Smriti Irani said she addressed him as “Dada”.
“I would call him out of the blue, sometimes just to put him on the phone with young talent who admired the legend. And he would oblige, with all the warmth that lay beneath that unmistakably gruff exterior,” she said on X.
“Today, among the memories I hold closest is one of him cooking for me. No special occasion. Just Dada, being Dada,” he said.
Recalling their last conversation, Irani said Patekar had asked her, “Aa re Pune, kadhi yeshil?” (Come to Pune, when will you visit?), to which she had replied, “Soon.”
“Guess was not soon enough,” she said, adding, “See you on the other side, Dada.”
Dada. That’s what I called him, while the world knew him as Nana Patekar.
His calls were as random as they were precious. No formalities, no pleasantries. Just that familiar voice – “Kahan hai re?”
We barely ever photographed our moments together. Perhaps because one could never imagine there would come a day when photographs would be all I am left with.
I would call him out of the blue, sometimes just to put him on the phone with young talent who admired the legend. And he would oblige, with all the warmth that lay beneath that unmistakably gruff exterior.
Today, among the memories I hold closest is one of him cooking for me. No special occasion . Just Dada, being Dada.
Our last conversation still echoes in my ears.
“Aa re Pune, kadhi yeshil?”
Come to Pune, when will you visit?I said, “Soon.”
Guess was not soon enough.
See you on the other side, Dada. ❤️
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 8, 2026
Transport Minister Gadkari said the news of Patekar’s demise was “extremely shocking and heartbreaking”, recalling his close and friendly relations with the actor.
“Through his powerful acting, Nana Patekar dominated the hearts of discerning audiences for over five decades via Marathi and Hindi cinema,” Gadkari said.
“With his distinctive style of dialogue delivery, he immortalized many characters in films and created his unique identity. His departure is a great loss to the Indian film industry,” he said.
Highlighting Patekar’s social work, Gadkari said, “The work he did in the rural areas of Maharashtra in the fields of water conservation and watershed management through the ‘Naam Foundation’ is noteworthy and significant. The helping hand he extended to the families of farmers who committed suicide became a support for many families. Nana was not only an excellent artist-actor but also a personality sensitive towards society.”
भारतीय चित्रपट सृष्टीतील दिग्गज अभिनेते नाना पाटेकर यांच्या निधनाचे वृत्त अतिशय धक्कादायक आणि दुःखद आहे. त्यांना माझी भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली. नानांचे आणि माझे अतिशय जवळचे आणि मैत्रीपूर्ण संबंध होते. आपल्या दमदार अभिनयाने पाच दशकांहून अधिक काळ नाना पाटेकर यांनी मराठी व हिंदी चित्रपटांच्या माध्यमातून रसिक प्रेक्षकांच्या मनावर अधिराज्य गाजवले. आपल्या वैशिष्ट्यपूर्ण संवाद शैलीने त्यांनी चित्रपटातील अनेक पात्रे अजरामर केली व आपली वेगळी ओळख निर्माण केली. त्यांचे जाणे ही भारतीय चित्रपटसृष्टीची मोठी हानी आहे. ‘नाम फाऊंडेशन’च्या माध्यमातून पाणी संरक्षण, संचयन क्षेत्रांत महाराष्ट्राच्या ग्रामीण भागात त्यांनी केलेले कार्य उल्लेखनीय आणि महत्त्वपूर्ण आहे. आत्महत्या केलेल्या शेतकऱ्यांच्या कुटुंबीयांसाठी त्यांनी दिलेला मदतीचा हात अनेक कुटुंबांचा आधार बनला. नाना एक उत्तम कलाकार-अभिनेते असण्याबरोबरच समाजाप्रती संवेदनशील असलेले एक व्यक्तिमत्त्व होते. ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्म्यास शांती प्रदान करो. ॐ शांती.
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) October 8, 2026
BJP leader Sambit Patra described Patekar as an “exceptional actor” and a “sensitive and influential personality”.
Patra said Patekar’s performances in films such as “Krantiveer” and “Parinda” left a profound impact, while his portrayal of Uday Shetty in “Welcome” showcased his comedic talent. He said the actor’s voice, dialogue delivery and depth of acting would always be remembered.
अभिनेता श्री नाना पाटेकर जी के निधन का समाचार अत्यंत दुःखद है।
नाना पाटेकर जी केवल एक विलक्षण अभिनेता ही नहीं, बल्कि एक संवेदनशील और प्रभावशाली व्यक्तित्व थे। ‘क्रांतिवीर’ और ‘परिंदा’ जैसी फिल्मों में उनके गंभीर और दमदार अभिनय ने झकझोरा, वहीं ‘वेलकम’ के उदय शेट्टी के रूप में उन्होंने अपनी हास्य प्रतिभा से खूब हंसाया। उनकी आवाज़, संवाद अदायगी और अभिनय की गहराई हमेशा देशवासियों को याद आएगी।
उनका निधन फिल्म जगत और उनके चाहने वालों के लिए अपूरणीय क्षति है। महाप्रभु दिवंगत आत्मा को शांति प्रदान करें और शोकाकुल परिवार एवं प्रशंसकों को यह दुःख सहने की शक्ति दें।
ॐ शांति! 🙏
— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) October 8, 2026
BJP president Nitin Nabin said the news of Patekar’s demise was “extremely heartbreaking and soul-wrenching”.
“With his natural and impactful acting, he left such an indelible mark in Hindi and Marathi cinema, where every character, with its distinct identity, etched itself into the hearts of the audience. His performances will continue to remind cinema lovers of him in the times to come,” he said.
भारतीय सिनेमा के दिग्गज अभिनेता श्री नाना पाटेकर जी के निधन का समाचार अत्यंत दुःखद एवं हृदयविदारक है।
अपने सहज और प्रभावशाली अभिनय से उन्होंने हिंदी एवं मराठी सिनेमा में ऐसी छाप छोड़ी, जिसमें हर किरदार अपनी अलग पहचान के साथ दर्शकों के मन में उतर गया। उनका अभिनय आने वाले समय में भी सिनेमा प्रेमियों को उनकी याद दिलाता रहेगा।
ईश्वर पुण्यात्मा को अपने श्रीचरणों में स्थान दें तथा शोकाकुल परिजनों और उनके प्रशंसकों को इस अपार दुःख को सहने की शक्ति प्रदान करें।
ॐ शांति।
— Nitin Nabin (@NitinNabin) October 8, 2026
BJP leader Biplab Kumar Deb said Patekar’s performances in films such as “Ankush”, “Prahaar” and “Krantiveer”, along with his distinctive voice and intensity, made him “truly one of a kind”.
“The passing of veteran actor Nana Patekar Ji is a profound loss to Indian cinema. His remarkable contribution to Indian cinema will continue to inspire generations,” Deb said.
The passing of veteran actor Nana Patekar Ji is a profound loss to Indian cinema.
From Ankush and Prahaar to Krantiveer, his powerful performances, distinctive voice and unmatched intensity made him truly one of a kind. His remarkable contribution to Indian cinema will continue to inspire generations.
My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and countless admirers. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti.
— Biplab Kumar Deb (@BjpBiplab) October 8, 2026
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