Nana Patekar Opens Up On Impoverished Upbringing, Recalls Having One Meal A Day

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DECEMBER 09,2024

One of the versatile and effortless actors in Indian cinema, Nana Patekar has proved time and again with his talent that you don't need to be a nepotistic product to carve your name in the film industry. He has made a deep impact with his acting not just in Bollywood but also in Marathi cinema.

The veteran actor is making his comeback on the silver screen after a long hiatus with Vanvaas, a tale about a son who abandons his aged father. He was last seen in Vivek Agnihotri's The Vaccine War.

Patekar, who is currently busy promoting his upcoming family drama Vanvaas, opened up about the financial struggles and recalled his impoverished upbringing.

Nana Patekar recalls his rough childhood

The Welcome actor sat down with Siddharth Kanan for a rather candid chat. He revealed how the tough circumstances and situations enforced on him made him mature faster than the rest of his peers.

'I started working at the age of 13. So I turned 30 very early in life,' Patekar said in the interview with his voice heavily filled with nostalgia. 'I used to get one meal a day and earned a meager Rs 35 per month,' he recalled.

Also Read: When Anil Kapoor Dropped Nana Patekar From Parinda, "Main Kyu Usko Star Banau?"



Despite the odds, Nana Patekar worked hard to balance his education and fulfill his financial needs by balancing work and studies at the tender age of 13. He added, 'I used to work in the day and then go to school as well. I was in the 9th class.'

'So I feel yourhaalat (circumstances) decide your age. But after a point, I didn't let my situation decide my age. Now I decide my agemdash18, 19hellip I am as old as I want to be,' the actor added, refusing to let his circumstances define him.

Nana Patekar on the importance of family

The Parinda actor, who will soon be seen in Anil Sharma's family drama Vanvaas, got candid about how his tough life crisis taught him the value of family.

'Till the time you are under the caressing shelter of your parents, nothing else matters. They are such a huge support system,' Patekar said. However, his parents had their own share of troubles, and financial struggle was a constant companion.

'When I was asked if I like the fragrance of rose ormogra(jasmine flower), I'd say I like the aroma ofbhakri (roti)no other aroma is more desirable to the stomach,' he added.

Vanvaas releases on December 20 in cinemas near you.