Nana Patekar. / Wikipedia

Nana Patekar never acted for money, he has always been this eccentric actor who worked on his own whim. Despite his idiosyncrasies, he has been one of the most acclaimed actors of our time. 

He has been conferred with three National Awards and if that was not huge, he has also been awarded with the Padma Shri! Despite his popularity and success, Nana Patekar is an enigma to most. Few know that he is a brilliant painter, he is a fairly successful writer too but if you catch him today, you will find he has found himself a new love-farming. Let's read on to know what Nana Patekar loves doing besides enthralling us with his acting chops.

You have been very choosy with your roles?

I never wanted to do films. It was on the insistence of my friend Smita Patil that I came into films. I was happy doing theatre. But she wanted me to do films and that's how my journey with films started. I did five to six films with her where she played my heroine, like Sutradhar, Aaj Ki Awaz, Gaman, Samna Awamand Giddh. She was a great actress but unfortunately she left us too soon. She was a great friend too, you rarely meet people like her.

How do you look back on your journey? Are you content?

I am satisfied and have no regrets as I have sustained in this industry for 42 years. That's a long time to dedicate yourself to something, so l don't miss anything now, neither the camera nor the work. I have done enough work so far. There has never been any space for regrets or sorrow in my life. I am happy with my farm in my village. I keep myself thoroughly occupied with a lot of things. I am busy with my Naam Foundation not only in Maharashtra but I have taken it up in Kashmir, Guwahati and now in Jaipur. We plan to spread it all over the country. 

Farming doesn't mean I have completely given up on films. If I like a script I do the film but I get very few good offers. Perhaps because I work on my own terms. I have very simple requirements though, I give my nod if they approach me with a great bound script and secondly they have to pay me handsomely, I work only for eight hours as I can't lose my sleep over work. We are not animals to work all day and night. I don't need a lavish house. I will leave all my worldly possessions here after I die. So it is rather easy for me to feel content.

Despite what you say about being easily content, you are known for your eccentricities and controversies. Did you ever lose out on work, because of it?

I have lost out on work many times. I am very moody, get angry easily. I have had fights with everyone but nothing serious. I have had no enemies. It's just that my perception is different from theirs. I don't care what people say or think about me. I know what I am. I have always been in a space of my own. I cannot be nice to everyone, all the time. I am open and frank and don't shirk from voicing my opinions and I don't really have the time to sit and sugar coat things, so I say it as it is. Those who are not well versed with their job find it difficult to deal with me. I do not believe in being a people-pleaser. You can be either good or bad. But yes answering your question, it did cause me considerable trouble and I lost a lot in the bargain too.

What projects did you regret losing out on?

I lost many things. I missed a lot of work in the bargain. I lost friends and sometimes yes, I lost money too. There were instances when I was not paid for the work I had done. That's when I realized that I should vent out my frustrations and anger through my acting. I was fortunate that I could grab a medium where I could channelize my negative energy into my work.

You just mentioned that you are not a please-pleaser, is that why you have chosen a life of solitude?

I do have friends in the industry like Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Mithun Chakraborty, and Danny Denzongpa. I liked Rishi Kapoor a lot too but he is not with us anymore. We may not be working together but we keep in touch and meet and spend time together. I avoid parties. When I feel like having a drink or two, I sit with my drink in solitude, listen to music or read a book. 

What do you do when you are not busy?

I don't enjoy the city life so when I am not shooting I spend time on my farm near Sinhagad Fort in Pune and grow vegetables. I love being on the farm. I have around 10 acres of land. I plough my fields like every farmer and look after my buffaloes. I grow vegetables. I feel fortunate to hear the birds chirping when I wake up in the mornings. I have a small house there where I love spending time. In fact, I relive my childhood memories there. I was born in Murud Janjira which is a tourist attraction now but when I was young, we led a very -simple life there. Cooking is another passion of mine, I cook as I love feeding people. I think I am a better cook than an actor.

You worked with Anil Sharma recently, who is primarily known for action films, how was it working with him?

The backdrop of Gadar was violent because it was a love story across borders. At the same time it had a family angle. Vanvaas also had a bit of action but you cannot call it an action film. The film has two parallel moods, one where it will make you laugh and the other which is emotional and makes you think. It is like Hrishikesh Mukherjee's film Anand, It made you laugh and cry at the same time. A film need not have one specific genre but the backdrop decides whether it will have action or not.

How comfortable are you with giving your creative inputs to the director?

I interfere a lot. When I go on the sets I'm involved in the film right from the scripting stages so I get to know the story thoroughly, I get to know the actors well. I don't differentiate between a seasoned actor and a newcomer. They are all the same to me. When I feel that things need to be improved in a scene I do give my inputs.

What is the one quality you look for in scripts today?

I am not very selective but off late, none of the scripts appeal to me. If they give me a good film I will certainly accept it. I read my scripts and listen to the narration like a common man. If the story appeals and I feel that the common man will love to watch the film I go ahead with the film. I don't like doing intellectual films which are meant only for awards. I don't believe in the concept of making films for the niche or the intellectual audience. Films are meant for everybody, like Welcome.

But didn't we hear that you have refused the series?

I meant the first part. The sequel, I have refused and so has Anil Kapoor. I didn't like the script. You should have the guts to say no to a bad script. What will I lose by saying no? Just money. I have already earned so much. How much more will I accumulate now?

You are playing a father in the film. What was your relationship with your parents like?

Everyone usually has their purest relationships with their parents. Taking care of your parents, according to me, is nothing that needs to be applauded. They are our parents and it's our duty to take care of them. I did what I could. My mother expired at the age of 99. We were 7 brothers and sisters. Everyone has passed away; I am the only survivor now. She lost her husband, her children, her oldest son, but she never lamented about them. She always looked ahead in life and thought about the people who lived with her. She did her best for them. She never cried. When I played this character in Vanvaas, I took a lot of lessons from my mother.

They say the best way to portray a character is to make it a part of you, how do the characters you play impact you?

Every role inspires me and in a way changes my perspective. Also meeting people from different walks of life changes you tremendously. I love travelling by auto rickshaw because I get to hear stories from the auto drivers. In the beginning they are scared to talk to me but after five minutes I make them. comfortable and we get talking. They open out their hearts to me. I came to know the struggles they face in their day to day life.

Tell us about your forthcoming films?

I have an interesting line up. I have done a Marathi film, then there's a social thriller The Confession, directed by Anant Mahadevan. I will be making my OTT debut this year with Prakash Jha's upcoming series titled Laal Batti, a political thriller. I also have this wonderful script which I hope materializes into an OTT film or something, that's where the best work is happening.

What changes do you see in cinema now?

Cinema has changed a lot over the years. Cameras have changed! Earlier we used to have a magazine of three to four minutes. Now it's different. We can shoot continuously. When technology advances, the way of making cinema changes. Youngsters have invaded the industry with new ideas. But as it is said, change is the only constant.

Do you feel upset that your son Malhar has not followed your footsteps?

He never wanted to become an actor, he was interested in direction. I told him to do what he loves to do. I have not forced him into anything. Let him lead the life he wants.

So what is the significance of an award to you?

I don't believe in awards given to me by three to four people who choose me for the award. I believe in rewards and the appreciation and love of my fans for me.