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Nana Patekar’s wife had quit IIT for films. Who is Neelakanti Patekar?

Neelakanti Patekar won a state best actress award and later lived apart from Nana Patekar for about 35 years without divorcing him.

  • Veteran actor Nana Patekar died on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at age 75 in Goa after suffering a cardiac arrest, confirmed by his son Malhar Patekar.
  • Despite living separately for around 35 years, Patekar remained legally married to Neelakanti Patekar without pursuing a legal divorce throughout their lives.
  • Neelakanti worked as a bank officer earning ₹2500 monthly while Patekar earned ₹750 after 15-20 theatre shows, financial support that enabled his acting career.
  • After clearing the IIT entrance examination, Neelakanti chose theatre instead, winning the Maharashtra State Government's Best Actress award in 1989 and recently appearing in Chhaava.
  • The couple's first son, Durvasa, died at two and a half years old, a loss Patekar later said taught him profound lessons about life's meaning.
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The Economic Times broke the news in Mumbai, India on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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