Actor Nana Patekar Cremated in Pune After Passing Away at Age 75

Last Rites

Veteran actor Nana Patekar was laid to rest at his family farmhouse in Donje village on the outskirts of Pune late Thursday night, October 8, following his death earlier that morning from a cardiac arrest in Goa. His son, Malhar Patekar, lit the funeral pyre at approximately 11.30 pm and later explained to reporters that the late-night ceremony was necessary because transportation delays pushed back the arrival of the mortal remains, and the family chose to complete the final rites on the same day the tragedy occurred.

Official Honours

The ceremony included full state honours, featuring a 21-gun salute by female police officers and a marching band, while the actor's body was draped in the Tricolour. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid his respects at the Pune airport, and attendees at the farmhouse included Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, Union Ministers Murlidhar Mohol and Ramdas Athawale, state ministers Chandrakant Patil, Uday Samant, and Madhuri Misal, alongside film personalities such as Jackie Shroff, Pravin Tarde, Kiran Yadnyopavit, Sajid Nadiadwala, and Anil Sharma, plus over 1,000 admirers.

Career and Legacy

Patekar passed away at age 75 at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, where he suffered a severe cardiac arrest and was rushed to Manipal Hospital before medical personnel declared him dead at around 5:20 am after attempting resuscitation for roughly 45 minutes. A Padma Shri recipient and three-time National Award winner, he was celebrated across Hindi and Marathi cinema and co-founded the Naam Foundation in 2015 with actor Makarand Anaspure to assist drought-hit farmers, while also supporting initiatives in water management, education, and health.

Context

State funerals are occasionally extended to legendary cultural figures in recognition of extraordinary lifetime contributions to the arts and public service, reflecting their profound impact on the nation's public life. Such ceremonies typically bring together political leaders, industry colleagues, and large crowds of citizens to pay final tributes.