Top 10 Nana Patekar Movies and Iconic Roles: The Indian film industry lost one of its most distinctive performers on October 8, 2026, as veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away at the age of 75 in Goa. His death marks the end of a remarkable career spanning Hindi and Marathi cinema, but his performances, characters and unforgettable dialogue delivery will continue to live on with audiences.

Nana Patekar was never an actor who simply played a character. He had a rare ability to completely transform himself for every role from a terrifying gangster and angry revolutionary to a disciplined army officer, police inspector and even a hilarious comic character.

As a tribute to the legendary actor, here are 10 Nana Patekar movies and roles that showcase his extraordinary range.

1. Parinda (1989) – Anna

Parinda remains one of the most important films of Nana Patekar’s career. He played Anna, a ruthless and unpredictable underworld gangster.

His portrayal was intense without becoming exaggerated. The quiet menace, sudden bursts of anger and psychological depth made Anna one of Hindi cinema’s most memorable villains. Patekar won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film.

2. Krantiveer (1994) – Pratap Narayan Tilak

If there is one character that perfectly represents Nana Patekar’s powerful screen presence, it is Pratap Narayan Tilak in Krantiveer.

The character begins as a troubled and directionless man before transforming into a fearless voice against corruption, injustice and communal hatred. Patekar’s powerful monologues became a major part of the film’s legacy, and his performance earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor.

3. Prahaar: The Final Attack (1991) – Major Pratap Chauhan

In Prahaar: The Final Attack, Nana Patekar played Major Pratap Chauhan, a disciplined army officer.

The film was particularly special because Patekar also directed it. His portrayal captured the discipline, toughness and emotional burden associated with military life. The role demonstrated that his intensity was not limited to negative characters — he could bring equal power to characters driven by duty and patriotism.

4. Agni Sakshi (1996) – Vishwanath

Nana Patekar showed a completely different side of his acting in Agni Sakshi.

He played Vishwanath, an obsessive and abusive husband whose disturbing behaviour becomes central to the story. It was an uncomfortable and psychologically demanding character. The performance earned Patekar the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor, his third National Film Award.

5. Khamoshi: The Musical (1996) – Joseph Braganza

In Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Khamoshi: The Musical, Patekar played Joseph Braganza, a deaf father.

Unlike many of his intense roles, this performance depended heavily on expressions, body language and emotional restraint. His portrayal of a father struggling with his daughter’s dreams showed audiences that Nana Patekar could communicate enormous emotion even without relying on his famously powerful voice.

6. Ab Tak Chhappan (2004) – Sadhu Agashe

Nana Patekar returned to the crime genre with Ab Tak Chhappan, playing police officer Sadhu Agashe.

The character is a tough encounter specialist operating in Mumbai’s dangerous criminal underworld. Rather than turning Agashe into a stereotypical action hero, Patekar gave him a controlled and complicated personality. The film went on to become a cult favourite and is still considered one of his most memorable performances.

7. Apaharan (2005) – Tabrez Alam

In Prakash Jha’s Apaharan, Patekar played Tabrez Alam, a powerful gangster with connections to politics and organised crime. His calm but intimidating screen presence made the character particularly memorable. The role also earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Villain.

8. Welcome (2007) – Uday Shetty

For audiences who know Nana Patekar primarily for intense dramas, Welcome revealed another side of the actor.

As Uday Shetty, a gangster with a surprisingly comic personality, Patekar displayed impeccable comic timing alongside Anil Kapoor. The film became one of his most popular mainstream entertainers and introduced his unique dialogue delivery and expressions to a completely different generation of viewers.

9. Natsamrat (2016) – Ganpatrao Belwalkar

Nana Patekar’s Marathi performance in Natsamrat is widely regarded as one of the finest performances of his later career. He played Ganpatrao Belwalkar, a celebrated theatre actor whose life changes after retirement.

The emotional depth of the character allowed Patekar to explore ageing, family relationships, loneliness and the identity of an artist. His performance earned him the Filmfare Marathi Best Actor award.

10. Salaam Bombay! (1988) – Baba Golub

Before some of his biggest mainstream roles, Nana Patekar appeared in Mira Nair’s acclaimed Salaam Bombay!, playing Baba Golub, a drug dealer.

The film presented a gritty picture of life among Mumbai’s street children and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Patekar’s role demonstrated the naturalistic acting style that would become an important part of his career.

Nana Patekar’s Legacy Goes Beyond These 10 Films

Choosing only 10 films from Nana Patekar’s career is difficult.

His filmography also includes memorable performances in Tirangaa, Angaar, Yeshwant, Shakti: The Power, Raajneeti, Dr. Prakash Baba Amte – The Real Hero and several other Hindi and Marathi films. Over his career, Patekar won three National Film Awards for Parinda, Krantiveer and Agni Sakshi — and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2013.

What made him special was his versatility. He could make audiences fear him in Parinda, inspire them in Krantiveer, move them in Natsamrat and make them laugh in Welcome.

Remembering Nana Patekar

Nana Patekar’s passing leaves behind more than a list of awards and successful films. It leaves behind characters that became part of Indian popular culture.

For generations of movie lovers, his voice, expressions, intensity and unmistakable style will remain instantly recognisable. His films can now serve as a lasting reminder of an actor who never needed to follow a formula. Nana Patekar created his own space in Indian cinema — and that space will be difficult to fill.

Also read, Nana Patekar Dies at 75: Veteran Actor Passes Away in Goa After Cardiac Arrest

Watch Latest News Videos on KRH News: Click Here