Nana Patekar once recalled facing severe poverty and struggling for two meals before becoming one of Indian cinema’s celebrated actors.
Vaishnavi Gavankar
October 09, 2026 / 14:33 IST
Nana Patekar
Veteran actor Nana Patekar, who died at the age of 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa, had often spoken openly about the poverty and hardships that shaped his early years. Long before becoming one of the most respected actors in Hindi and Marathi cinema, Patekar had seen a time when his family struggled to afford even two meals a day.
In a throwback conversation, the actor recalled entering the film industry carrying the experiences of a difficult childhood with him.
“I had entered the industry, and at that time I came from a very poor household. We had faced poverty, and there was a time when we could not even afford two meals a day,” Patekar had said.
Nana Patekar started working at 13
Born Vishwanath Patekar on January 1, 1951, in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra, Nana did not always grow up in poverty. His father, Gajanan Patekar, reportedly ran a textile business, while his mother, Nirmala Patekar, was a homemaker.
However, the family’s financial circumstances changed dramatically after they reportedly lost their wealth and savings. Nana was still a teenager when he began working to contribute to the household.
At the age of 13, he reportedly took up work after school and walked several kilometres to paint film posters. He earned around Rs 35 a month along with food. The difficult period stayed with him long after his circumstances changed.
From painting posters to becoming a National Award winner
Patekar eventually entered films with Gaman in 1978. His breakthrough came with Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Parinda, which earned him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Over the decades, he built a career around powerful performances in films including Prahaar, Angaar, Krantiveer, Tirangaa, Khamoshi: The Musical, Ab Tak Chhappan and the Marathi film Natsamrat.
Despite decades of success and considerable wealth, Patekar remained known for living relatively simply. In Mumbai, he reportedly continued to use a modest 1 BHK apartment in Andheri that he had purchased decades earlier for around Rs 1.1 lakh. The approximately 750-square-foot property has since been estimated to be worth around Rs 3 crore.
Nana Patekar’s simple life away from films
Patekar also owned a 27-acre farmhouse in Khadakwasla near Pune, where he was reportedly involved in farming. The property was described as having simple wooden interiors and terracotta flooring, far removed from the lavish homes usually associated with film stars.
He reportedly cultivated crops such as wheat and paddy and shared proceeds with farmers and labourers. His other properties included a home in Pune, a residence in Goa and property in his native Murud.
For Patekar, those early years of financial struggle appeared to remain an important part of how he looked at life even after achieving fame. His journey from working as a teenager to support his family to becoming a multiple National Award-winning actor remains one of the most striking chapters of his life.
Patekar died in the early hours of October 8 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. He was found unconscious and taken to a private hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him for around 45 minutes. He was declared dead in the early morning hours.
His death brought to a close a career spanning nearly five decades across Hindi and Marathi cinema, leaving behind performances that ranged from the intense and volatile to comedy.
Vaishnavi Gavankar is a senior entertainment journalist with over 8 years of experience covering Bollywood, Television, OTT platforms, and regional cinema.
first published: Oct 9, 2026 02:32 pm
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