Nana Patekar’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief across the film fraternity as actors and filmmakers remember his powerful screen presence and decades-long career.
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Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher and Riteish Deshmukh paid tribute to legendary Nana Patekar (PC: Instagram)
The sudden death of Nana Patekar has left the Indian film industry mourning the loss of one of its most distinctive performersThe veteran actor, who was 75, passed away on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrestOver a career spanning nearly five decades, he worked across Hindi and Marathi cinema and became known for performances marked by intensity, honesty and individualityHis death prompted an immediate outpouring of grief from actors, filmmakers and musiciansSeveral celebrities took to social media to remember the veteran performer, with many sharing personal memories and reflecting on the influence he had on their careers and lives.
Akshay Kumar remembers Nana Patekar
Akshay Kumar, who worked with Nana Patekar in Welcome and Housefull 5, remembered the actor for his distinctive screen presenceHe said Nana never needed to do too much to capture the audience’s attention and praised his voice, intensity and honestyAkshay recalled the memories they created on the sets of both films and said he felt fortunate to have worked with himHe described Nana as one of a kind and said his absence would be deeply felt.
See viral tribute post of Akshay Kumar here
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 watchThat 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 5There are so many memories from those sets that I’ll always hold close.
Nana ji was truly one of a kindIt’s hard to believe you’re gone.
Thank you for all the memoriesYou will be missed more than words can say.— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) October 8, 2026
Anupam Kher shares an emotional tribute
Anupam Kher shared a deeply personal message after receiving the news of Nana’s deathHe revealed that he had just completed a performance when his director informed him that Nana was no moreKher said he then had to continue meeting people and fulfilling his professional responsibilities while trying to process the lossRemembering Nana’s personality, he said the actor was direct and unpretentious and had his own way of dealing with even difficult subjectsKher also described him as one of the finest actors and human beings in Indian cinema.
See viral tribute post of Anupam Kher here
NANA PATEKAR THE GREATEST?A couple of hours ago, I received the heartbreaking news that my friend Nana Patekar, one of the finest actors and human beings in Indian cinema, is no more.
I had just finished our performance and taken the curtain callAs I walked into the wings, my director Gajendra told me, “Nana is no more.”
After that, I had to meet people, pose for photographs, smile, sit down for a meal… while trying to absorb what I had just heardIt was terribly difficult.
But somewhere, I felt that Nana would have wanted me to finish my workFulfil my responsibility to the people who had come to see usAnd then, perhaps, remember him.
Actually, knowing him, I can almost hear him dismissing the very idea of a tribute: “अरे, तो क्या हो गया? मर गया तो कौन-सी बड़ी बात है? सभी मरते हैं!”
That was NanaDirect, unpretentious, with his own way of saying even the most difficult things.❤️
I will miss you, my friendYour warmthYour hugsYour extraordinary performancesAnd whenever I miss seeing you, I will watch your filmsThough today, I wish I could simply hug you one more time.
My love and deepest condolences to your family and to everyone who loved youअलविदा मेरे दोस्त, नाना पाटेकर। बहुत सारा प्यार। #NanaPatekar #HeartBreaking— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) October 8, 2026
Rajinikanth mourns Nana Patekar’s death
Thalaivar Rajinikanth also expressed his grief over the loss of his dear friend Nana PatekarThe two actors shared screen space in the 2018 film Kaala, directed by P.ARanjithSharing a post on X, Rajinikanth wrote, “I can’t believe my dear friend Nanaji is no longer with usMy deepest condolences to his family and loved onesMay his soul rest in peace.” His message reflected his personal bond with Nana and his disbelief over the veteran actor’s sudden passing.
See viral tribute post of Rajinikanth here
I can’t believe my dear friend Nanaji is no longer with usMy deepest condolences to his family and loved onesMay his soul rest in peace.
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) October 8, 2026
Riteish Deshmukh remembers Nana’s wisdom
Riteish Deshmukh remembered working with Nana in Bluffmaster and Housefull 5He said having the opportunity to share screen space with the veteran actor was a privilegeRiteish also revealed that working with Nana in a Marathi film remained an unfulfilled desireHe thanked him for his wisdom, conversations, encouragement and the impact he had on him personallyRiteish described Nana’s passing as the end of an era.
See viral tribute post of Riteish Deshmukh here
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
Alia Bhatt bids farewell to Nana Patekar
Alia Bhatt also mourned the death of veteran actor Nana Patekar with an emotional tributeSharing a post, she wrote, “Farewell, Nana Sir, You’ve made the world laugh, cry, and feel so much more in betweenNo one like you” Her message remembered Patekar’s ability to make audiences experience a wide range of emotions through his performances.

Prakash Raj remembers his conversations with Nana
Prakash Raj, who directed Nana Patekar in Tadka, remembered the personal moments they sharedHe spoke about their conversations and arguments as well as the food Nana cooked and the knowledge he sharedPrakash said he would cherish those memories and thanked Nana for being part of his life journey.
See viral tribute post of Prakash Raj here
miss you my dear Nana ji .Will cherish the moments spent..conversations.arguments.the food you cooked.knowledge you shared thank you for coming into my life’s journeyRIP #NanaPatekar https://t.co/ijbPzxZk6s
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) October 8, 2026
Ram Gopal Varma calls Nana the ‘God of acting’
Ram Gopal Varma, who worked with Nana in classics like Darna Mana Hai, Bhoot, Ab Tak Chhappan and The Attacks of 26/11, expressed disbelief over his sudden deathVarma remembered Nana as a strong personality and said he found it difficult to accept that something could happen so suddenly to himIn an emotional tribute, he called Nana the “God of acting” and expressed his anger and grief over losing the veteran performer.
See viral tribute post of Ram Gopal Varma here
YES, everybody knows nobody is immortal .But I still can’t believe this can so suddenly happen to a man , as strong as him .I hate his heart for failing him and I feel like killing GOD for killing the GOD of acting , NANA PATEKAR .
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) October 8, 2026
Goodbye Nana, can’t ever forget what you brought to Ab Tak Chappan , Bhoot and the Attacks of 26/11 https://t.co/PImStMteVO
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) October 8, 2026
Vivek Agnihotri remembers Nana Patekar
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, who worked with Nana Patekar in the 2023 film The Vaccine War, reacted to the veteran actor’s sudden death with an emotional postSharing his disbelief, Agnihotri wrote, Kya yaar Nana, aisa bhi kya? Retake ka time bhi nahi diya.” His words reflected his shock at losing the actor and their professional association on The Vaccine War.
See viral tribute post of Vivek Agnihotri here
क्या यार नाना, ऐसा भी क्या? Retake का टाइम भी नहीं दिया। https://t.co/JWj8mKRBvm
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) October 8, 2026
Jr NTR praises Nana Patekar’s honesty
Jr NTR remembered Nana as one of Indian cinema’s finest actorsHe praised the unmistakable honesty and intensity that Nana brought to his characters and said his performances never felt like acting but like real life unfolding on screenJr NTR added that Nana’s contribution to Indian cinema would be remembered for generations and offered condolences to his family and loved ones.
See viral tribute post of Jr NTR here
Deeply saddened by the passing of Nana Patekar sir, one of Indian cinema’s finest actorsThere was an unmistakable honesty and intensity in every character he portrayedHis performances never felt like acting, but life unfolding on screenA remarkable artist whose contribution to Indian cinema will be remembered for generations.
Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved onesOm Shanti
— Jr NTR (@tarak9999) October 8, 2026
Manoj Bajpayee remembers an inspiration
Manoj Bajpayee described Nana’s death as shocking and said he could not believe that the veteran actor was no longer aroundHe remembered Nana’s journey as an inspiration for actors who arrived in Mumbai hoping to build careers in cinemaAccording to Bajpayee, Nana showed that an artist could create a place for himself through strong craft, individuality and by remaining true to who he was.
See viral tribute post of Manoj Bajpayee here
Completely numb waking up to thiscan’t wrap my head around the fact that Nana Patekar sir is no longer with usThis makes no sense at allGone way too soon… irreversible loss to our film fraternityRest in peace sir
— Armaan Malik (@ArmaanMalik22) October 8, 2026
Armaan Malik reacts to the sudden loss
Singer Armaan Malik expressed disbelief after waking up to the news of Nana’s deathHe said he could not come to terms with the fact that the veteran actor was no longer with themMalik described the loss as a major blow to the film fraternity and said Nana had gone far too soonHe offered his condolences to Nana’s family and loved ones.
See viral tribute post of Armaan Malik here
Completely numb waking up to thiscan’t wrap my head around the fact that Nana Patekar sir is no longer with usThis makes no sense at allGone way too soon… irreversible loss to our film fraternityRest in peace sir
— Armaan Malik (@ArmaanMalik22) October 8, 2026
Paresh Rawal pays tribute to Nana Patekar
Paresh Rawal remembered Nana with a short but powerful tributeHe described him as “insanely honest and intense” and expressed his love and respect for the veteran actorRawal’s brief message reflected the deep regard Nana commanded among his peers in the film industry.
See viral tribute post of Paresh Rawal here
क्या यार नाना, ऐसा भी क्या? Retake का टाइम भी नहीं दिया। https://t.co/JWj8mKRBvm
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) October 8, 2026
Mukesh Chhabra mourns Nana’s death
Casting director Mukesh Chhabra also reacted to the news with shockCalling Nana’s death unbelievable, he remembered the veteran actor with affection and described him as Nana BhaiHis message added to the growing tributes from members of the film fraternity.
See viral tribute post of Mukesh Chhabra here
I am just shockedThis is unbelievableRest in peace, Nana Bhaihttps://t.co/tqZ7JPD2M7
— Mukesh Chhabra CSA (@CastingChhabra) October 8, 2026
The legacy of Nana “The Legendary” Patekar
Nana Patekar’s death has brought together actors and filmmakers from different generations who remembered not only his remarkable performances but also his individualityFrom Welcome and Apaharan to Krantiveer, Prahaar: The Final Attack, Ab Tak Chhappan and The Attacks of 26/11, his work covered a wide range of characters and genresThe tributes show the lasting impact of an actor who created a distinctive place for himself in Indian cinema.