Veteran actor Nana Patekar was cremated with full state honours at his farmhouse in Donje village in Pune district on Thursday. His son, Malhar Patekar, explained that the last rites were performed after sunset because transporting the actor’s mortal remains from Goa took longer than expected. Malhar pledged to continue his father’s social work, particularly in education and healthcare, while members of the film fraternity and political leaders gathered to pay their final respects to the 75-year-old actor.
Mumbai, Oct 2026 : Veteran actor Nana Patekar, who died of a cardiac arrest in Goa at the age of 75, was cremated with full state honours at his farmhouse in Donje village in Pune district on Thursday. His son, Malhar Patekar, explained that the final rites had to be conducted after sunset because of delays in transporting the actor’s mortal remains from Goa to the family farmhouse.
Speaking to the media after the cremation, Malhar said the family had initially expected to reach the farmhouse earlier, but the long journey took more time than anticipated. He added that his father had passed away early in the morning and the family did not want to delay the cremation further.
“We were in Goa, and his mortal remains were to be brought to the farmhouse in the village. We expected that we would arrive earlier, but it took us some time. He passed away early in the morning, so a lot of time had already passed and it was not advisable to keep the mortal remains for long. Hence, we had to do the cremation after the sunset,” he said.
The actor was accorded a state funeral, including a three-gun salute, in recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema and society. <Cite refs={["turn764423search3","turn764423news19"]}/>
Malhar vows to continue his father's social work
Malhar also spoke about carrying forward his father’s legacy beyond cinema, particularly his commitment to social service and humanitarian causes.
“People like him don't go anywhere; they live forever through the work they are immortal. He always told us one thing that we should get together for humanity and work for the betterment of the world. He used to think on the global level,” he said.
Highlighting the geographical reach of the family’s social initiatives, Malhar said their work extended across Maharashtra and other parts of the country, including Jammu and Kashmir, with a particular focus on education and healthcare.
He said Nana Patekar had already delegated responsibilities to people he believed were capable of carrying forward the work effectively.
“He had already passed on the responsibilities to every single person who deserved it. He had already delegated a lot of work to people who could do justice to it,” Malhar said.
He added that his father had wanted to start certain initiatives from scratch and spend his life in places where social work was needed.
“I'll make sure that whatever unfinished business is there, it gets completed. His dreams and my dreams collectively is to work for the people, I will ensure that it gets done,” he said.
Malhar’s remarks highlighted the family’s determination to preserve the actor’s humanitarian legacy and continue projects aimed at improving people's lives.
Film fraternity, political leaders pay tribute
Several prominent personalities from the film industry arrived at Donje village to attend the last rites and pay their respects to the veteran actor. Among those present were actor Jackie Shroff, directors Anil Sharma and Anees Bazmee, and producer Firoz Nadiadwala.
A large number of fans and members of the public also gathered at the farmhouse to bid farewell to the actor, whose career spanned Hindi and Marathi cinema.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid his last respects to Patekar at Pune airport before leaving for Mumbai. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the actor’s farmhouse in Pune district to offer his condolences.
The gathering reflected the widespread affection and respect Patekar commanded among colleagues, political leaders and audiences.
Bollywood mourns the loss
The actor’s death prompted an outpouring of grief from across the Indian film industry, with several prominent actors remembering his distinctive performances and contribution to cinema.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan expressed his condolences through an Instagram Story, writing, “Nanaaaaa... Rest in peace bhau”.
Actor Ajay Devgn also paid tribute on X, formerly Twitter, sharing a still from their film Apaharan and recalling Patekar’s remarkable ability to evoke powerful emotions through his performances.
“Not many made us happy, sad and feel anger quite the way Nana did. His presence was powerful, his performances unforgettable, and his absence will now be deeply felt. Rest well, Nana. Om Shanti,” Devgn wrote.
Veteran actor Kamal Haasan shared a throwback photograph with Patekar and described him as an extraordinary artist and an exceptional human being.
“Heartbreaking news of Nana Patekar Ji’s passing. An extraordinary artist and an even greater human being. The man was a force of nature, and he uplifted the lives of those around him,” Haasan wrote.
He also recalled Patekar’s work supporting farmers in Maharashtra and his volunteer service during the Kargil War, saying these efforts reflected the actor’s deep sense of duty. Haasan extended his condolences to the bereaved family and the actor’s fans.
A legacy beyond the screen
Nana Patekar built a distinguished career through memorable performances in Hindi and Marathi films, earning recognition for his intensity, versatility and commanding screen presence. Beyond acting, he was known for his involvement in social initiatives, including efforts to support farmers and communities affected by hardship.
His death at 75 marks the end of a significant chapter in Indian cinema. As tributes continue to pour in, his son’s pledge to complete the actor’s unfinished social work offers a commitment to keeping alive a legacy that extended well beyond the screen.
