Nana Patekar is dead. The veteran actor, who turned 75 this year, passed away early Thursday morning in Goa after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula. He was rushed to Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted resuscitation for nearly 45 minutes but were unsuccessful. The actor was declared dead at around 5:20 am. According to reports, he had been found unconscious at home before being taken to the hospital. No further medical details have been released. His body will be transported to Pune for cremation with full state honours at his ancestral farmhouse in Donje later today. Before the final rites, it will be kept at an undisclosed location in Pune. The news has triggered an outpouring of grief across India, not just from the film industry but from political and sporting circles as well. President Droupadi Murmu took to X to express her condolences, calling Patekar’s performances “powerful and deeply evocative” and noting that he brought “a wide range of human experiences” to life on screen. She highlighted his commitment to social service and described his passing as “a great loss to Indian cinema.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute, describing Patekar as an actor whose intensity, individuality, and unmistakable presence were unmatched. “He brought remarkable versatility and creativity to every role,” Modi wrote, adding that his frankness and willingness to speak his mind earned him admiration. “His contribution to Hindi and Marathi cinema was immense,” he said, calling the loss a “deep void.” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, and MPs Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, and FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe all shared their condolences on social media. Their messages echoed a common theme: a man who shaped generations through both art and activism. Cricketers too have joined the tributes. Virat Kohli called him a “true legend of Indian cinema,” while Sachin Tendulkar said his work would “continue to inspire generations.” Suresh Raina remembered him as a “straightforward and grounded person,” whose honesty shone through in every performance. One close friend, speaking anonymously, said they had spoken just eight days ago — it was their last conversation. “I could never have imagined that it would be our last,” they wrote. Nana Patekar’s legacy is not just in the films he made, from Krantiveer to Sarkar, from Daud to Gangster. But in the way he used his voice. He wasn’t afraid to stand up for consumer rights, as seen in Tum Milo To Sahi, or to speak out against injustice. He played characters who carried the weight of society, and somehow made them feel real. Now, the silence where his voice used to be feels heavier than ever. The final scene is yet to be written. But the credits? They’ve already rolled.