Nana Patekar Reflects on His Tough Childhood: ‘Started Working at 13, Survived on One Meal a Day’

December 12, 2024: Nana Patekar Opens Up About His Challenging Upbringing

Veteran actor Nana Patekar recently shared a heartfelt account of his impoverished childhood, providing a glimpse into the struggles that shaped his life and career. In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Patekar revealed how he started working at the age of 13, juggling education and labor to support his family during difficult times.

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“I started working at the age of 13. So I turned 30 very early in life,” Patekar remarked, reflecting on the maturity forced upon him by his circumstances. “I used to get one meal a day and earned just ₹35 a month. I worked during the day and attended school at night when I was in the 9th grade.” Despite these challenges, Patekar persevered, a testament to his resilience and determination.

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A Life Shaped by Struggles

Patekar’s hardships not only shaped his personality but also influenced his outlook on life. “Your circumstances decide your age,” he explained. Yet, with time, Patekar reclaimed control over his narrative. “Now, I decide my age—18, 19… I am as old as I want to be,” he added with a smile.

For Patekar, humor has been a vital coping mechanism. “Mujhe hassi mazak ke siva aur kuch sujhta nahi (Nothing seems better to me than laughter and jest),” he said. Even the prospect of death doesn’t faze him. “I am not scared of death. Jab nikalna hai nikalna hai (Whenever my time comes, it comes),” he said with a sense of acceptance.

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The Hunger That Defined His Childhood

Patekar’s reflections also touched on the struggles of growing up in poverty. “Hunger was such a big issue for us that we never could see the flowers (happy days),” he said poignantly. Recalling a moment from his childhood, he shared, “When someone asked me if I liked the fragrance of rose or jasmine, I’d say I liked the aroma of bhakri (roti). No other aroma is more desirable to the stomach.”

Despite the difficulties, Patekar spoke about the critical role his parents played in his life. “Till the time you are under the caressing shelter of your parents, nothing else matters. They are such a huge support system,” he said, acknowledging the invaluable strength he drew from his family.

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A Comeback to the Silver Screen

After being embroiled in #MeToo allegations by actor Tanushree Dutta and staying away from the limelight, Patekar has made a return to cinema. He was recently seen in Vivek Agnihotri’s The Vaccine War and is gearing up for the release of Vanvaas, alongside Utkarsh Sharma and director Anil Sharma. He will also feature in the upcoming comedy sequel Housefull 5.

Through his words and performances, Patekar continues to inspire audiences with stories of resilience, humor, and survival against all odds.