Raw, rustic and razor-sharp... Nana Patekar, as a person, is far more riveting than the characters he has played. Eccentric to some, elusive to others, Nana remains the proverbial enigma. And while he’s a mystery that refuses to be decoded, as an actor he never ceases to enthral. Yet life doesn’t end or begin at the movies for Nana. He’s known for the various charities he espouses as well. He was in the news recently for donating ` 15,000 each to 62 families of farmers in Maharashtra who committed suicide. The gesture inspired other actors, including Akshay Kumar to follow suit. “The atmosphere is sad. Today’s generation is busy watching porn. Porn nahi paani ka socho. We do not think beyond cities. Villagers do not have basic necessities like water and electricity. We should help them. If they can kill themselves today, tomorrow they can kill you. It’s the responsibility of politicians and the government to solve their problems.”
The actor received the Padma Shri in 2013 for his contribution towards the film industry but he says he didn’t deserve it. “Had they asked me, I’d have refused because I don’t believe I’ve done anything great. Rather, Vikas Amte, (He helms the community set up by his late father Baba Amte for leprosy patients in Chandrapur, Maharashtra) deserves such an award.”
In a similar vein of detachment he says, “Expressing your views on social media does not solve any problems. I use the mobile only for making and receiving calls. Main iss maamle mei thoda anari hoon. But I am happy with my life. I sign a film, I do it and return to my village.” He elaborates further, “Is it necessary to go on acting throughout your life? Do something else. You do need money to survive but if you reduce your needs you will never be in lack of money. I never eat out.” He enjoys his simple pastoral life in Pune. He enjoys playing farmer there growing rice, wheat, bajra, onions and garlic. “It’s a luxury to be able to do what you enjoy doing. I do not wish to erect a Taj Mahal built on compromises. Even today, I sit on the floor and have food in the conventional manner.”
Nana was born in a lower middle-class Maharashtrian family and that’s perhaps why he hasn’t forgotten his roots. He insists he was never afraid of his parents, father Dinkar Patekar, a painter and mother Sanjana bai. “When I was in the fifth grade, my father once raised his hand to hit me. But I held his hand. He told my mother, ‘Dekho kitna badtameez ho gaya hai!’ I explained that I held his hand because I was not wrong. My elder brother had done something for which I was being pulled up. I’ve never raised my hand on my son Malhar.”
Talking about his son, who’s now 30 and a film producer, he says, “We’re like friends. He respects me but I guess he’s a bit afraid of me. He thinks before speaking to me. He gets apprehensive about how I will react. I realise it’s difficult to humour me. That’s my nature.” He doesn’t deny being a hard nut to crack. “If I encounter an adiyal (difficult) person, I also become adiyal. I can tolerate a person up to certain point. But if he tries to rub me the wrong way then I get irritated.” He continues, “I don’t like liars. If someone puts on a false face, I don’t like it. If a dog that bites pretends to be a rabbit and expects me to tolerate him, I know how to deal with him. If you try to bite me, remember, I will also bite you". He claims he can see truth in the eyes of a person. “I prefer to talk with someone who can look me in the eye. Whoever avoids that is not correct.”
With his son Malhar Patekar
Given his utspokenness, he states he has few friends in the industry. “Chintuji (Rishi Kapoor), Danny Denzongpa, Mithun Chakraborthy, Anil Kapoor, John Abraham and Dimple Kapadia are my good friends." Four decades down the line and a Nana Patekar film still generates interest. The actor’s oeuvre boasts of a medley of movies - Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Salaam Bombay, Parinda (won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor), Krantiveer (won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor in a leading role), Agnisakshi, Khamoshi, Ab Tak Chappan and Prahaar. He insists he’s keen to work in the correct set-up and hence has turned down many a film. He doesn’t deny getting ‘too involved’ in a film either. “A film does not belong to one particular person. Its success and failure affects everyone. So I believe, I have a right to interfere. You have to convince me that what you’re doing is right. Being a director does not mean that you can do whatever you like. I do trouble the director a bit. Guess that is my birthright. I am like this only,” he laughs. One thing he says he’ll never compromise upon is his self-respect. “You cannot enjoy life without self-respect. I do my work, I earn my living and I live my own life, so why should I suffer an insult from anyone? Whenever I sense something going wrong, I just leave the place.” He continues, “Yes, I get into arguments. But I don’t keep things in my heart. When I was younger my blood pressure used to be 120/80. It’s the same today. Main logon ka BP badhata hoon.”
He wowed audiences with his comic take in Anees Bazmee’s blockbuster Welcome Back. Watching his riotous avatar in the film, it’s difficult to believe his serious, no-nonsense persona in real life. But that’s what good actors are known for. Also, when he lists the Laurel & Hardy, Charley Chaplin and Tom & Jerry series and Mehmood’s comedies as his favourite picks, you understand the origins of his funny instincts. “I do more serious roles than comic ones. I require a certain environment to open up as an actor. The atmosphere on the set of Welcome Back was fun and congenial.”
Being in the limelight is not an obsession with him. “This has helped me survive in the industry for 42 long years. If you are seen often, then you will not last long. I don’t wish to be in the news for the wrong reasons,” he proclaims. “What is stardom? When I’m facing the camera, I’m an actor, otherwise I’m a common man. Stardom has a short life. When all this is over, it will be difficult for me to live.” Attending film parties is also a big no-no for the reticent Nana. “People get drunk and forget who they are. They behave badly and apologise the next day. I hate all this. I don’t consider liquor bad. I too drink sometimes. But I’m always in control. I had my first drink when I was 28. I used to smoke a lot but I succeeded in quitting the habit.”
He’s not the one to gloat about his past victories either. He’s moved beyond the trappings of stardom and the glory associated with it. “I don’t look back to see what I gained and what I lost. What’s over is over. I still crave for theatre though.” Recently, he’s done a Marathi film Nat Samrat based on the eponymous Marathi play. “I do what I enjoy. Otherwise, you’re caught in a rat race to prove yourself.”