What Nana Patankar Revealed About the Hours After One’s Heart Stops

Nana Patankar, a pillar of Hindi cinema, died at 75 following a cardiac arrest in Goa. In the days after his passing, a video of his musings on death went viral, drawing attention to the brief window when a dying body remains partially aware. Patankar explained that after the heart stops, the heart continues to beat for ten minutes, the brain stays active for twenty minutes, and the eyes remain open for up to four hours, watching the reactions of family and friends.

He also used the analogy of dry wood to illustrate his view of one’s final possessions: “I have saved twelve pieces of dry wood, my final property. Use only dry wood, not wet, otherwise smoke will rise and blind the eyes of those present.” Patankar’s clear‑cut perspective on mortality, combined with his preference for a simple life in his native village, reinforced his reputation as a candid thinker who never shied away from uncomfortable truths.