Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Nana Patekar’s Journey From Poverty to Reported Wealth
Nana Patekar said he grew up with serious money problems.
As a teenager, he painted movie posters and earned Rs 35 each month.
He later became a well-known actor in Hindi and Marathi films.
His work brought him much greater earnings, though reports give different estimates of his wealth.
He was also linked to homes in Mumbai and Goa and a farm near Pune.
Despite his reported wealth, he was known for living simply.
The article says he once declined to spend Rs 1.5 crore on a luxury car, saying he would rather help farmers.
His early hardships shaped the way he thought about money and food.
Patekar recalled starting work at 13, painting film posters for Rs 35 a month and one meal a day.
His first Bollywood break came in 1978 with the film Gaman.
His career in Hindi and Marathi cinema included films such as Parinda, Krantiveer, Natsamrat and Welcome.
Media reports estimate his net worth at Rs 60 crore to Rs 80 crore and say he later charged around Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore per film.
He was associated with a modest Mumbai apartment, a Goa home, a Pune-area farmhouse and a relatively understated car collection.
- Who
- Veteran actor Nana Patekar.
- What
- An account of his rise from financial hardship to a successful acting career and reported wealth.
- When
- His first Bollywood break came in 1978; the article also says he passed away early Thursday morning but does not specify a date.
- Where
- Mumbai, with homes and property also associated with Goa and the area near Khadakwasla in Pune.
- Why
- The article describes how his early financial hardship shaped his views on money, food and success.
- Reported net worth
- Recent reports cited in the article estimate Rs 60 crore to Rs 80 crore.
- Early earnings
- He recalled earning Rs 35 a month painting film posters as a teenager.
- First Bollywood film
- Gaman (1978).
- Reported later film fee
- Around Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore per film, according to media reports.
- Mumbai apartment
- A 750-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment in Andheri; reportedly bought for around Rs 1.1 lakh and now estimated at around Rs 3 crore.
- Farmhouse
- A roughly 27-acre farmhouse near Khadakwasla in Pune, used for farming.
- Cars mentioned
- Mahindra Jeep CJ4, Mahindra Scorpio and Audi Q7.