'True legend of Indian cinema' - Virat Kohli mourns veteran actor Nana Patekar's death

Veteran Bollywood actor Nana Patekar passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2026, after suffering a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. He was 75 years old.

India's cricketing icon Virat Kohli, one of the most followed sportspersons in the world, took to social media to pay his respects. Kohli attributed his tribute to the actor's enduring impact on Indian public life, far beyond the boundaries of the film industry.

"A true legend of Indian cinema. His work and legacy will live on for generations. Rest in peace, Nana Patekar ji. Om Shanti," Kohli wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter)

Why did Kohli's tribute draw such widespread attention?

Kohli's public statements on social media consistently reach tens of millions of followers, and his decision to honour Patekar underscored how deeply the actor's work resonated across Indian public life. The tribute prompted an outpouring of responses from fans of both cricket and cinema, reflecting Patekar's rare cross-generational appeal.

Patekar built his reputation over nearly five decades in Hindi cinema. He made his screen debut with Gaman in 1978 and delivered one of his most celebrated performances as crime boss Anna in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Parinda, released in 1989, for which he received the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. The Government of India recognised his contribution to cinema with the Padma Shri in 2013, the country's fourth-highest civilian award.

Patekar remained a working actor right up to his death. He appeared in Housefull 5 in 2025 alongside Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh. His final screen credit was in Vishal Bhardwaj's 2026 film O'Romeo, in which he portrayed a police officer opposite Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri.

What has Kohli been doing on the cricket field ahead of his next assignment?

Kohli has been in commanding batting form in the period leading up to India's upcoming international schedule. Across three ODI matches against West Indies, he accumulated 168 runs, with the standout contribution being an unbeaten 139 in the opening fixture at Thiruvananthapuram.

That innings also marked Kohli's 55th ODI century, extending his own world record in the format and reinforcing his standing among the all-time greats of one-day cricket. The milestone further cemented his place as one of the most prolific run-scorers in the history of the 50-over game. He is expected to be part of India's squad for the five-match ODI series in New Zealand, with the first game scheduled for November 4, 2026.