Nana Patekar, who quit 60-a-day smoking habit at 56, dies; state funeral held in Pune

Actor Nana Patekar died on October 8, 2026, and was cremated the same day. His death has left not only the film industry but many of his admirers in shock. He is said to have suffered a heart attack.

Meanwhile, the story of an old habit of his, and how he gave it up, is being talked about again. Patekar is said to have kept smoking until the age of 56. His addiction was so deep that he smoked 60 cigarettes a day.

In an interview, Patekar had said that he gave up cigarettes completely in 2007-2008. According to him, the decision came suddenly. One morning he woke up and told himself that he would not smoke any more.

There was also an emotional reason behind the decision. In an interview given in 2015, Patekar named the main reason he quit. He said a woman friend of his, who was like a sister to him, had lost her only son. At the time, Patekar had a persistent cough.

According to Patekar, the friend told him that she did not know what more she would have to see. That one sentence left a deep impression on him, and he decided to give up smoking.

Patekar died at his home in Goa. He is said to have been admitted to hospital after a sudden heart attack. When he did not regain consciousness despite considerable efforts, doctors declared him dead.

Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar announced that the Maharashtra government would perform the actor's last rites with state honours. The funeral rites were completed at around 4 pm at his farmhouse in Pune, where he was also given a final tribute.