Full Breakdown
Autopsy Confirms Heart Attack as Cause of Nana Patekar’s Death
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Autopsy Findings
The report classifies the death as natural, attributing it to a blood clot that blocked the left main coronary artery, which supplies a large portion of the heart.
Background & Context
Nana Patekar, 75, was celebrated for earthy performances in films such as *Krantiveer* and *Khamoshi: The Musical*. Earlier in his career he frequently referenced a personal “Natsamrat curse,” claiming that every actor who performed the titular Marathi play had later suffered a heart attack. This remark resurfaced in media coverage after his passing.
Data & Statistics
- Age at death: 75
- Primary cause: Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Underlying condition: Thrombosis of the left main coronary artery, secondary to atherosclerotic occlusive coronary artery disease
- Resuscitation effort: Approximately 45 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before death was declared
Official Statements & Responses
The Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) doctor who reviewed the autopsy emphasized that the findings point to a natural cause, with no indication of foul play. Goa Police registered an unnatural-death case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) following the actor’s demise, but the family later stated they did not suspect any criminal involvement. Malhar Patekar, the actor’s son, arrived in Goa, gave consent for the post-mortem, and oversaw the transport of the body to Pune and then to the family’s farmhouse in Donje village, where Nana Patekar was cremated with full state honours. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Union Ministers Ramdas Athawale and Murlidhar Mohol, Lok Sabha MP Sunil Tatkare, FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, actor Jackie Shroff and several other public figures attended the funeral.
On-the-Ground Reports
Dr Shekhar Salkar, chief of the oncology department at Manipal Hospital, Goa, recounted that Patekar messaged a friend around 2:30 a.m. on October 8, indicating he felt unwell. The friend arrived at the actor’s residence at approximately 4 a.m., found him sweating and gasping, and alerted the caretaker, who then called a nearby private hospital for an ambulance. The ambulance reached the apartment within a kilometre, and Patekar was transferred to the hospital where CPR was administered for about 45 minutes before he was pronounced dead.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact time of death. Most reports state that Patekar was declared dead at 5:10 a.m., while two outlets record the time as 5:20 a.m. The autopsy report itself does not specify the precise moment of death, leaving the discrepancy unresolved.
Why It Matters
The confirmation of a natural cardiac cause underscores longstanding concerns about heart health among aging actors, especially given Patekar’s own public warnings about the “Natsamrat curse.” The state-honoured cremation and attendance by senior political leaders reflect the actor’s cultural significance and the broader public mourning of a figure who shaped Hindi and Marathi cinema for over four decades.
What's Next
No further official actions have been announced beyond the completion of the police case and the funeral rites. The family has indicated no intention to pursue additional investigations.