The sudden demise of legendary Bollywood actor Nana Patekar at the age of 75 left the Indian film industry and millions of fans in a state of profound grief. The veteran actor passed away in the early hours of Thursday, October 8, 2026, at his residence in Goa. Following standard protocols, the Goa Police had registered a medico-legal case, and a post-mortem was conducted to determine the exact circumstances of his passing.
Now, the official autopsy report has been released by a panel of doctors at the state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), bringing clarity to the medical reasons behind his sudden and tragic death, and completely ruling out any foul play.
Here is a complete breakdown of the medical findings from Nana Patekar’s autopsy, the tragic timeline of his final hours, and details of his state funeral in Pune.
The Autopsy Findings: Cause Of Death
According to the official post-mortem report, Nana Patekar’s death has been firmly classified as a natural one. The senior doctors at GMCH confirmed that the actor died of an “acute myocardial infarction” (a massive heart attack).
The detailed medical findings revealed that Patekar was suffering from coronary artery disease (CAD). The autopsy cited the exact cause of death as “acute myocardial infarction due to left main coronary artery thrombosis secondary to atherosclerotic occlusive coronary artery disease.” In simpler terms, a blood clot formed in one of the main coronary arteries, completely obstructing the flow of blood to a large section of his heart, which subsequently triggered a fatal cardiac arrest.
The Tragic Final Hours
Police investigations into the timeline of the night shed light on the actor’s final moments. According to the authorities, Patekar began experiencing severe discomfort in the middle of the night at his Dona Paula apartment near Panaji.
At approximately 2:30 AM, he sent a WhatsApp message to his close friend, Amey Naik, stating that he was feeling unwell, and later attempted to call him. Naik saw the message around 3:30 AM and immediately rushed to Patekar’s residence, only to find the veteran actor lying unconscious on the sofa.
Medical Response And State Funeral
Patekar’s caretaker and friend immediately called for an ambulance, which arrived promptly as the private Manipal Hospital was located within a kilometer of his apartment.
According to Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Chief of the Oncology Department at the hospital, the medical team tried their absolute best to revive him. Despite being administered continuous Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and cardiac massage for nearly 45 minutes, the actor could not be saved. He was officially declared dead at 5:10 AM.
Following the autopsy at GMCH, Nana Patekar’s son, Malhar, transported his father’s mortal remains back to Maharashtra. The iconic actor was laid to rest and cremated with full state honours at his farmhouse in Donje village, Pune. The solemn funeral was attended by prominent political figures, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, and several Bollywood personalities, including his close friend and co-star Jackie Shroff, bidding a tearful final farewell to the cinematic legend.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the cause of Nana Patekar’s death?
According to the official autopsy report, Nana Patekar died of a massive heart attack (acute myocardial infarction) caused by a blood clot in his left main coronary artery due to underlying coronary artery disease.
Where did Nana Patekar pass away?
The 75-year-old veteran actor suffered a fatal cardiac arrest at his apartment in Dona Paula, near Panaji, Goa. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital where he was declared dead.
Was there any foul play suspected in Nana Patekar’s death?
No. The police investigation and the autopsy report from the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) confirmed that it was a natural death caused by a heart attack. The family also expressed no suspicion of foul play.
Where was Nana Patekar cremated?
Nana Patekar’s mortal remains were taken to Pune by his son, Malhar. He was cremated with full state honours at his farmhouse in Donje village.
