Nana Patekar's death brings renewed attention to his personal life. Here's what the late actor said about his 35-year separation from his wife, Neelakanti, and her support during his struggling years.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleIt feels weird to add "late" before the legendary name of Nana Patekar. But the news turns out to be true despite the initial confusion that it was yet another celebrity death hoax. The 75-year-old actor passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2026, reportedly after suffering a massive heart attack in the morning at his home in Dona Paula, Goa.
He was found unconscious and rushed to Manipal Hospital, where the doctors performed CPR on him for 45 minutes straight, but he could not be resuscitated. The actor was officially declared dead at around 5:20 AM.
The news has rekindled interest in Patekar's long-term marriage with award-winning actress Neelakanti Patekar, which has often raised eyebrows as the pair have lived apart for around 35 years.
Neelakanti Patekar was associated with both theatre and Marathi cinema. She reportedly began acting as a child in 1966 and later worked as a bank officer, giving her a stable source of income while Nana was still struggling to establish himself as an actor. She also appeared in Marathi cinema, including Aatmvishwas, for which she received a Maharashtra State Government Best Actress award, according to reports. More recently, she appeared in Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava.
Nana and Neelakanti first met through theatre. During his The Lallantop's Guest in the Newsroom interview, Nana recalled that Neelakanti was working in plays while also holding a bank job to help him pursue his dream. At the time, he was earning only Rs 50 per theatre show, while Neelakanti earned around Rs 2,500 a month. He said:
"I used to make only Rs 50 per show, while her salary was Rs 2500. I could build my entire acting career solely because of her help and support. I owe a massive debt of gratitude to her."
That financial stability became important during the early years of their relationship. Nana said Neelakanti encouraged him to pursue acting even when there was no guarantee that he would succeed. He credited her support with giving him the freedom to concentrate on his craft.
The couple married in 1978, with reports saying their wedding cost only around Rs 750. They later had two sons, Durvasa and Malhar. Their elder son died at around two and a half years old after suffering from health problems.
For years, Nana and Neelakanti's living arrangement attracted curiosity. Although reports have described them as separated for around 35 years, they did not legally divorce.
The Welcome actor addressed the subject himself in interviews, offering a rare glimpse into his highly private personal life. Nana said that there was a much simpler explanation for the arrangement; he said their personalities, temperaments, and ways of thinking had become different, and the two ultimately chose to live separately.
Patekar also explained that Neelakanti stayed with their son Malhar and his mother, while he lived by himself, because "I am the one who is different." He also expressed deep gratitude toward Neelakanti, particularly for the role she played during the uncertain beginning of his career.
When Nana and Neelakanti started living separately, speculation about their marital troubles was sometimes linked to his rumoured relationship with actress Manisha Koirala during the 1990s. However, neither Nana nor Neelakanti ever commented on these speculations. The veteran actor repeatedly mentioned that they maintained an amicable relationship despite living separately.
Nana Patekar was born in 1951 and began his acting career in 1978. He went on to star in films such as Welcome, The Attacks of 26/11, Salaam Bombay, and Tirangaa. Behind his fierce on-screen image, the actor was famously known for his grounded personality in real life. After training with the Maratha Light Infantry for Prahaar, Nana sought to serve during the 1999 Kargil War and eventually joined the forces after persuading then-Defence Minister George Fernandes.
Through his decades-long career, Nana Patekar won multiple National Film Awards and received the Padma Shri in 2013, leaving behind a career that stretched across Hindi and Marathi cinema. And through it all, he and Neelakanti chose to remain married. Whatever complexities existed between them, Nana's own words suggested that their relationship retained an important foundation of gratitude and respect.
Our sincere condolences are with Neelakanti, Malhar, and the rest of his family.
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