He is an actor who works on his whims and fancies, and money has never been a criterion. A brilliant painter and writer, he now finds solace in farming. In fact, films were never there in his plan of things. “I never wanted to do films,” says Nana Patekar. “I was happy doing theatre, but it was on the insistence of my friend Smita Patil that I joined the industry. I did five to six films with her like Sutradhar, Aaj Ki Awaz, Gaman, Samna, Awam and Giddh,” he says. Looking back on his long journey, the actor says, “I have sustained myself in this industry for 42 years. I have no regrets.”
Back in theatres this week with Ab Tak Chhappan 2—a sequel made after almost a 10-year gap—where he plays police officer Sadhu Agashe, Nana says, “I am not counting the years gone by. For me, the film is as fresh as it was 10 years ago. My character still resides in the hearts of the people. Sadhu was 40 then, he’s in his 60s now. Crime has changed a lot over the years, so have criminals. Earlier they were illiterate, now they are educated. Scams are bigger now and involve politicians. How this man tackles all that is what the film is about.”
From hard-hitting roles like Ab Tak Chhappan to comedy ones like Welcome Back, his repertoire is as vast as his accomplishments. “At the end of the day, I am an actor and I have to do different roles. I don’t consider them serious or frivolous. For me every role is a good role and I enjoy every role that I take up. Every character is challenging, be it that of a comedian or of a police officer. I just finished shooting for Welcome Back and I enjoyed it. Next I’ll be working in a Mahesh Manjrekar film called Natasamrat—based on a Marathi play with the same title—in which I will play Ganpat (Appa) Belwalkar. It’s the ultimate character for an actor. I was inspired by it when I saw it for the first time. It’s been there right from Balgandharva and Deenanath Mangeshkar’s times. The character’s age spans from 40s to 80s. He’s a hero forgotten with time,” says Nana.
Padma Shri awardee Nana has always been an enigma off screen, known as the most controversial star of Bollywood. He has had fights with most of his co-actors and directors. “Yes, I am very moody and angry most of the time. I have had fights with everyone, but it was never a serious fight. I have had no enemies. It’s just that my perception is different from theirs. I don’t care what people say about me. I know what I am,” says Nana.
You could put it on his eccentric nature, but a solitary life is what the actor prefers. “Though I avoid parties, I do have friends in the industry and we spend time together. When I feel like having a drink or two, I sit with it in solitude, listen to music or read a book. I lead a simple life and have simple tastes. I go to bed early and wake up early and go about my work. I have quit smoking and am trying to give up my vices one by one,” he says.
And when he is not busy shooting films, Nana goes to his farmhouse near Sinhagad Fort in Pune and grows vegetables. “I have around 10 acres of land; I plough my fields like a farmer and look after my buffaloes. I spend enough time in my small house there. Cooking is another passion I have as I love feeding people. I think I am a better cook than an actor,” he laughs.
Nana turned director with Prahaar, but he has not wielded the megaphone since. “I have not directed in a long time, but I do interfere in the director’s work when I do films. I scold my directors and take advantage of my age. I add and make improvisations. If I don’t understand something, I tell them either you convince me or convince yourself,” he says.
On a different note, Nana adds, “I am doing two films. I have written a love story set in the 1940s during World War II, in which I play an army man. The other film is Pratibimb, with Mahie Gill. It is a situational comedy. I don’t believe in slapstick cinema. Slapstick, for me, ended with Laurel & Hardy and Charlie Chaplin,” he says.
On the recent AIB controversy, Nana comments “I can never take part in such things. Creative liberty can be done in many ways than just by sensationalising things. It can be in the way you speak or look, or the way you address. During childhood, my parents, especially my father, used cuss words when they called out to us, but it was used very lovingly. We have to follow some norms of society.”
The three-time National Award winner Nana says awards hold little meaning for him. “I don’t believe in awards given to me by three to four people who choose me for it. I believe in rewards and appreciation, and love of my fans,” he signs off.
