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| Photo Credit: Kamal Narang and X
Tributes have started pouring in for veteran actor Nana Patekar after he passed away in the early hours of Thursday (October 8, 2026). Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar, Jr NTR, Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Sunny Deol and others mourned Nana’s death and remembered his legacy.
Taking to X, Rajinikanth, who shared the screen with Nana in Pa. Ranjith’s Kaala (2018), wrote, “I can’t believe my dear friend Nanaji is no longer with us. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.”
Akshay expressed his sadness on social media and wrote, “He was one of those rare actors who never needed to do too much to make you sit up and watch. That voice, that intensity, that honesty in every performance, he was completely his own.”
He added, “I feel fortunate that we got to work together in Welcome, and then again more recently in Housefull 5. There are so many memories from those sets that I’ll always hold close. Nana ji was truly one of a kind. It’s hard to believe you’re gone. Thank you for all the memories. You will be missed more than words can say.”
Jr NTR paid his condolences to Nana’s family and wrote, “There was an unmistakable honesty and intensity in every character he portrayed. His performances never felt like acting, but life unfolding on screen. A remarkable artist whose contribution to Indian cinema will be remembered for generations.”
Farhan shared a photo of Nana on Instagram and said, “There are some who leave a void in their absence. Nana Patekar was one such person, whose presence could fill up a room and he was a generational talent who commanded our attention when on screen. His work in the arts and his commitment to social causes remain an inspiration to us all.”
Arjun wrote on Instagram that he is “devastated, shocked and deeply saddened to wake up to this news”. “He lived on his terms, acted effortlessly, shared and most importantly cared. You will be missed Sir. Thank you for the beautiful performances and unforgettable memories. Prayers for your journey ahead and deepest condolences to your family. RIP,” Arjun added.
Actor Prakash Raj shared a photo with Nana on X and wrote, “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 journey.”
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who produced Nana’s crime-drama Ab Tak Chhappan (2004), wrote on X, “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.”
Actor Riteish Deshmukh recalled sharing the screen with the veteran actor in Bluffmaster and Housefull 5 and wrote on X, “An actor par excellence, incomparable to anyone, he carved his place in people’s hearts with his own unique style and brand of acting. There wasn’t a role or a character he couldn’t perform. He aced it all — a larger-than-life hero, a terrifying villain or be it his poker-faced comedy. He was a hero off screen too, and worked tirelessly through his charity for the good of the people.”
Sunny Deol shared a photo with Nana and wrote on Instagram, “Still can’t believe Nana is not among us. We never worked together, but we always shared a very special bond that went back many years. Fearless, full of life, he always did what he wanted to do. That’s how I’ll always remember him.”
Nana was a recipient of three National Film Awards, several Filmfare Awards, the Maharashtra State Film Award and Filmfare Awards Marathi. He had also received Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian honour.
He will be cremated with with full State honours.
Published – October 08, 2026 11:31 am IST
