Nana Patekar passed away on Friday morning after a cardiac arrest in Goa, and the conversation around his farewell quickly turned to the final public speech he made days earlier. The veteran Hindi and Marathi actor used that stage to talk about time, duty and the right way to disagree.
To his audience, Patekar was a performer known for intensity and plain speaking, whether on stage or on screen. That history is part of why his Goa remarks are now being read as a closing note rather than a routine appearance.
His final public appearance
On October 4, Patekar attended the installation of the new managing committee of the Samraat Club in Goa. Rajashree Khandeparkar was installed as the state president, with a crowd that included Utpal Parrikar and other local leaders. Patekar, who owned a home in Dona Paula, was a frequent visitor to the state.
Speaking at the event, he referred to former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar as a friend. He said Parrikar was younger but had a stature that made people look up to him, and that he achieved a great deal despite his limits.
His message: give back before time runs out
Patekar’s remarks that evening now read like a final challenge. He said everyone has to go one day, his own time included, and asked whether people were capable of doing what needs to be done before that moment arrives. He warned against staying limited to one’s own family and circle.
“Everyone has to go one day,” Patekar said, before turning the room’s attention to what matters before that moment arrives.
He also spoke about public voice. He said he likes what he likes about Narendra Modi’s ideas, but people should learn to speak up about what they do not like. He defined andolan simply as saying what you do not like, the way a small child grumbles when unhappy. He added a personal rule: raise your voice, but never use foul language about anyone.
The final hours
According to Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital, Patekar messaged a friend around 2:30 am saying he was unwell and had pain on his left side. The message was seen later. By 4 am, when help arrived, he was gasping and sweating. He was given CPR at home, shifted to hospital, and declared dead at 5:20. The body has been sent to Goa Medical College for a post-mortem.
Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant offered condolences, saying Patekar’s journey across theatre, Hindi and Marathi cinema had left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
Why this final speech matters
For fans, the Goa speech has become something to hold on to: a veteran actor asking a room full of people to think beyond themselves. It is less a political statement than a reminder that public figures can use their last appearances to redirect attention to contribution and civility.
- Last public event: October 4, Samraat Club, Goa.
- Core line: everyone has to go; the test is what you do before your time comes.
- Medical timeline: 2:30 am message about pain, 4 am help arrived, 5:20 declared dead.
- What’s next: post-mortem at Goa Medical College before the body is handed to relatives.
Source: Hindustan Times
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