Veteran Indian actor Nana Patekar, known for his intense performances and distinct dialogue delivery, has died at the age of 75 in Goa, his son Malhar told the BBC.
One of the most recognisable faces of Indian cinema, Patekar won three National Film Awards and became known for playing complex, often volatile characters. He was also a prominent figure in Marathi language cinema and theatre.
He was rushed to hospital after being found unconscious at his home in Goa in the early hours of Thursday.
“Despite 45 minutes of continuous CPR, he could not be revived,” Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital in Goa told ANI news agency.
Patekar made his debut with the film Gaman in 1978 and continued to play smaller roles in several films. But the intensity that he brought on the screen was hard to miss and soon he landed a role in Parinda in 1989, making him a household name across India. His portrayal of the volatile, gritty gangster Anna won him his first National Film Award and the Filmfare Award.
He didn’t look back after this and played many memorable characters in several films through the 1990s. The range of the characters he played showcased the depth of his acting talent and mastery over his craft.
His portrayal of Major Chauhan in Prahaar – a film he also directed – won him praise. Then there was the villainous character of Majid Khan in Angaar, the patriotic firebrand of Tirangaa, and, most notably, Pratap Narayan Tilak in Krantiveer, for which he won the national award for best actor.
Just when critics thought that playing loud characters was his mainstay, he proved them wrong by delivering a mesmerising performance in Khamoshi as a person who could not hear or speak.
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