Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Nana Patekar’s Journey From Childhood Hardship to Film Stardom
Nana Patekar said his family lost its money and property when he was young.
He started working at age 13 to help them.
He painted film posters and earned Rs 35 a month, while walking a long way to and from work.
He also recalled getting by on just 25 paise on some days.
Later, he became a well-known actor, with a big break in the film Ankush.
He won three National Film Awards for his work in films.
He also joined the Indian Territorial Army and was reported to have helped families affected by farmer suicides.
The articles describe both his difficult early life and his later charitable work.
Patekar said he began working at 13 to help his family after his father lost the family’s property and business.
He recalled painting film posters for Rs 35 a month, one meal a day, and walking eight kilometres each way.
He said he sometimes managed on 25 paise a day, using the money for usal and bananas.
His acting breakthrough came with Ankush in 1986, and he won three National Film Awards for Parinda, Krantiveer and Agni Sakshi.
He joined the Indian Territorial Army in 1990; reports also describe his support for farmer-affected families and his involvement during the 1999 Kargil War.
- Who
- Actor Nana Patekar.
- What
- Reports recount his childhood financial hardship, early jobs, acting career, awards and charitable and military associations.
- When
- He began working at 13; his breakthrough came in 1986, he joined the Indian Territorial Army in 1990, and he was reported to have died at 75 on October 8.
- Where
- The articles say he died at his residence in Goa; his poster-painting job was in Chunabhatti.
- Why
- He said he started working because his family had lost its property and business and needed financial support.
Reported accounts
Important qualifications
Death details
Reported accounts
Both reports state that Patekar died in Goa at age 75; one says doctors tried to revive him for about 45 minutes and he was declared dead at 5:20 a.m. on October 8.
Important qualifications
The articles give no independent account disputing these details; the stated timing and medical details are attributed to hospital sources in one report.
Kargil War involvement
Reported accounts
One report says he reportedly stepped away from acting and contributed alongside personnel of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment during the 1999 Kargil War.
Important qualifications
That account is presented as reported information, rather than a direct quote from Patekar.
Wealth and lifestyle
Reported accounts
One report says media accounts have claimed he amassed a net worth exceeding Rs 80 crore; another describes his modest home, farm life and choice to forgo a luxury car in favor of helping farmer-affected families.
Important qualifications
The articles do not establish the net-worth figure, and the car and donation story is recounted by screenwriter Ranbir Pushp.
- Age he began working
- 13
- Poster-painting pay
- Rs 35 per month, with one meal a day
- Reported commute
- Eight kilometres each way; 16 kilometres daily
- Reported daily subsistence
- 25 paise for usal and two bananas
- Acting breakthrough
- Ankush (1986)
- National Film Awards
- Three, for Parinda (1989), Krantiveer (1994) and Agni Sakshi (1996)
- Territorial Army
- Joined in 1990
- Padma Shri
- Conferred in 2013
