Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Nana Patekar Turned Insecurity About His Looks Into Strength
Nana Patekar once worried that he did not look handsome enough to be an actor.
He also thought his father loved his older brothers more because they were better-looking.
When his father travelled a long way to watch him act in a play, Nana began to see things differently.
Theatre audiences enjoyed his performances, and that helped him believe in himself.
His first film roles were not always the kind he wanted, and he felt the industry judged actors by their looks.
Over time, films such as Krantiveer showed how powerful his acting could be.
He won a National Film Award for Best Actor for Krantiveer.
He also acted in comedies, voiced Sher Khan and directed a film.
His distinctive face and acting became part of what made audiences remember him.
Nana Patekar recalled feeling unattractive and believing his father favored his handsome elder brothers.
His father’s long journey to watch him perform in a play helped change how he understood his father’s affection.
After theatre, he entered films with a role in Aaj Ki Awaaz that he felt reflected appearance-based typecasting.
Performances in films including Parinda, Angaar and Krantiveer showcased his range; Krantiveer earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor.
He later explored directing, voice acting and comedy, including Prahaar: The Final Attack, Sher Khan in the Hindi Jungle Book, and Uday Shetty in Welcome.
- Who
- Actor Nana Patekar, born Vishwanath Patekar.
- What
- A profile of how he overcame insecurity about his appearance and built a varied acting career.
- When
- Born January 1, 1951; the article recounts events across his career.
- Where
- He grew up in Maharashtra and studied and worked in Mumbai; his father watched him perform in his village.
- Why
- The article describes how theatre, his father’s support and acting opportunities helped him move past insecurity and challenge appearance-based expectations.
Nana’s Concerns
Career’s Demonstration
Appearance and casting
Nana’s Concerns
Nana felt the industry judged him for not having a conventional hero’s looks and initially offered him a disturbing role in Aaj Ki Awaaz.
Career’s Demonstration
His performances in films including Angaar and Krantiveer demonstrated that screen presence and acting ability could command attention without conventional hero looks.
Family affection
Nana’s Concerns
As a young man, Nana believed his father preferred his elder brothers because they were more handsome and talented.
Career’s Demonstration
His father travelled from Bombay to Nana’s village to watch his play, an act Nana interpreted as evidence of his father’s affection.
- Birth name
- Vishwanath Patekar
- Date of birth
- January 1, 1951
- Parents
- Sanjana Bai Patekar and Dinkar Patekar
- Art education
- Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art in Mumbai
- Film debut role mentioned
- A role in Aaj Ki Awaaz
- Award
- National Film Award for Best Actor for Krantiveer
- Directorial debut
- Prahaar: The Final Attack
- Other notable roles
- Sher Khan in the Hindi version of The Jungle Book; Uday Shetty in Welcome