Nana Patekar is an Indian actor, filmmaker, and philanthropist who has worked in Hindi and Marathi cinema for over four decades. Born Vishwanath Patekar on January 1, 1951, in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra, he is known for intense, layered performances in films including Krantiveer, Parinda, Ab Tak Chhappan, and Natsamrat. He has won three National Film Awards and received the Padma Shri in 2013. Beyond acting, Patekar co-founded the NAAM Foundation to support farmers in Maharashtra. As of October 2026, he is 75 years old and continues to work in films and streaming projects.
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vishwanath Patekar |
| Known As | Nana Patekar |
| Date of Birth | January 1, 1951 |
| Age | 75 years (as of October 2026) |
| Place of Birth | Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Actor, filmmaker, philanthropist |
| Years Active | 1978–present |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) — approximate |
| Spouse | Neelkanti Patekar (married 1978) |
| Son | Malhar Patekar |
| Education | Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai |
| Notable Awards | Padma Shri (2013); 3 National Film Awards; 2 Filmfare Awards |
| Net Worth | Estimated at ₹80 crore by Indian media (not independently confirmed) |
Table of Contents
Early Life and Family Background
Childhood
Nana Patekar was born Vishwanath Patekar on January 1, 1951, in Murud-Janjira, a coastal village in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. He was the youngest of three brothers. His childhood was marked by financial hardship. His father worked in Mumbai while Patekar grew up in Murud with his brothers Ashok and Dilip.
In a 2024 interview with Siddharth Kannan, Patekar described an impoverished upbringing. “I started working at the age of 13,” he said. “So I turned 30 very early in life.” He recalled earning just ₹35 per month and often having only one meal a day while balancing work with his studies.
He has spoken about the lasting impact of hunger. When asked about the fragrance of roses or jasmine, he said he preferred the aroma of bhakri (Indian flatbread). “For us hunger was such a big issue that we never could see the flowers,” he said.
Parents and Family Background
His father, Dinkar Patekar, was a textile painter and small business owner. His mother, Sanjanabai Patekar, was a homemaker. Patekar was close to his mother and continued living with her in his Mumbai apartment as of 2016, even after his separation from his wife.
At age 28, Patekar lost his father to a heart attack. The family had suffered significant financial losses, and his father was unable to cope with the pressure.
Education
Patekar studied at Samartha Vidyalaya in Mumbai for three years before enrolling at the Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art (also known as Sir Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy School of Art). He studied figurative art and was interested in pursuing a career in art before turning to acting. During his college years, he was active in inter-collegiate dramatics.
Age and Birthday
Nana Patekar was born on January 1, 1951. He is 75 years old as of October 2026. His birthday falls on New Year’s Day.
Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) — approximate |
| Weight | Approximately 70–72 kg |
| Eye Colour | Dark brown |
| Hair Colour | Salt and pepper |
| Body Type | Slim |
Sources: HealthyCeleb, ZoomDash, FilmyFocus
Career Journey
Early Career
Patekar’s acting journey began in theatre. He was actively involved in plays and dramas from a young age. He made his Bollywood debut in 1978 with the drama Gaman, which featured Smita Patil and Farooq Shaikh.
During this period, he also acted in Marathi films. His early work did not bring immediate recognition.
Breakthrough
His breakthrough came with Salaam Bombay! (1988), Mira Nair’s Academy Award-nominated film. The following year, he won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Parinda (1989).
In 1994, Patekar delivered a career-defining performance in Krantiveer. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor, the Filmfare Award for Best Actor, and the Screen Award for Best Actor for that role.
He continued with acclaimed performances in Agni Sakshi (1996), for which he won another National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor, Ab Tak Chhappan (2004), and Apaharan (2005).
Major Works
Patekar’s filmography spans intense dramas, action films, and comedies. Notable works include:
| Year | Film | Role/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Gaman | Debut film |
| 1988 | Salaam Bombay! | Academy Award-nominated |
| 1989 | Parinda | National Film Award – Best Supporting Actor |
| 1994 | Krantiveer | National Film Award – Best Actor |
| 1996 | Agni Sakshi | National Film Award – Best Supporting Actor |
| 2004 | Ab Tak Chhappan | Critically acclaimed |
| 2007 | Welcome | Popular comedy |
| 2016 | Natsamrat | Marathi film; Filmfare Marathi Award – Best Actor |
| 2024 | Vanvaas | Recent release |
| 2026 | Sankalp | OTT debut (web series) |
Recent Activities
Patekar made his streaming debut in March 2026 with the political thriller web series Sankalp, directed by Prakash Jha. The series premiered on Amazon MX Player on March 11, 2026.
In Sankalp, Patekar plays Ma’at Saab, an influential educator whose authority rests on values and loyalty. The series is inspired by the Chanakya–Chandragupta chronicles and reimagines political strategy in modern India.
Speaking about the role, Patekar said: “Playing Ma’at saab has been a huge learning and it led me to explore a new dimension. It’s a character layered with silence, conflict and consequences”.
He is also attached to the upcoming Bollywood film Welcome 4, reuniting with Paresh Rawal.
In February 2026, reports noted that Patekar shot an action sequence for the film O’Romeo while battling a 102-degree fever. In January 2026, he walked out of the O’Romeo trailer launch event after being kept waiting for 90 minutes.
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1951 | Born in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra |
| 1978 | Film debut with Gaman |
| 1988 | Appeared in Salaam Bombay! |
| 1989 | Won National Film Award for Parinda |
| 1994 | Won National Film Award for Best Actor for Krantiveer |
| 1996 | Won third National Film Award for Agni Sakshi |
| 2004 | Starred in Ab Tak Chhappan |
| 2007 | Appeared in comedy hit Welcome |
| 2013 | Received Padma Shri |
| 2016 | Starred in Marathi film Natsamrat |
| 2024 | Released Vanvaas |
| 2026 | OTT debut with Sankalp on Amazon MX Player |
Awards and Achievements
| Award | Year | Work/Category |
|---|---|---|
| National Film Award – Best Supporting Actor | 1990 | Parinda |
| Filmfare Award – Best Supporting Actor | 1990 | Parinda |
| National Film Award – Best Actor | 1995 | Krantiveer |
| Filmfare Award – Best Actor | 1995 | Krantiveer |
| Screen Award – Best Actor | 1995 | Krantiveer |
| National Film Award – Best Supporting Actor | 1997 | Agni Sakshi |
| Padma Shri | 2013 | Contribution to Films and Arts |
| Filmfare Marathi Award – Best Actor | 2017 | Natsamrat |
Patekar, along with Irrfan Khan, are the only actors to have won Filmfare Awards in the Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Villain categories.
Personal Life
Marriage and Relationships
Patekar married Neelkanti Patekar in 1978. Neelkanti is a National Award-winning Marathi actress who had cleared the IIT entrance exam before choosing acting.
They met during their theatre days. Patekar has recalled that Neelkanti was a bank officer earning ₹2,500 per month while he earned ₹50 per show. “She told me, ‘You focus on building your career, I’ll take care of us,'” he said.
The couple had a simple wedding, spending just ₹750.
Their first son tragically passed away at two and a half years old. They later had another son, Malhar Patekar.
Patekar and Neelkanti eventually began living separately. Their son Malhar and Patekar’s mother stayed with Neelkanti, while Patekar lived alone. The couple remains legally married but separated. Patekar acknowledged in later interviews that their relationship was marked more by mutual respect than emotional closeness.
Patekar was also linked to actress Manisha Koirala during his separation. Reports indicate he refused to divorce his wife and marry Koirala, which led to the end of that relationship.
Children
Patekar’s son, Malhar Patekar, has followed a creative path. He is involved with the NAAM Foundation alongside his father and works in films both in front of and behind the camera.
Philanthropy and Charity
Patekar is actively involved in philanthropic work, particularly for farmers in Maharashtra.
He co-founded the NAAM Foundation with fellow actor Makarand Anaspure to support farmers and their families affected by drought and farmer suicides.
In September 2026, writer Ranbir Pushp revealed that Patekar once chose to forgo buying a ₹1.5 crore car to help families affected by farmer suicides. He divided the amount into ₹15,000 cheques to distribute among affected families. “He formed the NAAM Foundation, which has collected countless funds till today. He lives at a farm himself,” Pushp said.
Net Worth
Some publications have estimated Nana Patekar’s net worth at approximately ₹80 crore (approximately $9.6 million USD), although this figure has not been independently confirmed. Indian media outlets including News18, DNA India, and ABP Live have reported this estimate.
His income sources include film acting fees (reportedly around ₹1 crore per film), advertising endorsements, and possibly film production.
A reliable public figure for Nana Patekar’s exact net worth is not available.
Social Media Presence
Nana Patekar does not maintain a verified personal presence on major social media platforms. He is known for keeping a low profile regarding personal digital engagement. No official public social media accounts have been verified for the actor.
Controversies
#MeToo Allegations
In 2018, actress Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of sexually harassing her on the sets of the 2009 film Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss. Dutta first made allegations in 2008 and repeated them during the #MeToo movement in 2018.
Dutta alleged that Patekar behaved inappropriately toward her during the shooting of a song.
In March 2025, a Mumbai court refused to take cognisance of Dutta’s #MeToo allegations against Patekar. The court dismissed the sexual harassment case and related plea.
As of August 2026, the police case that triggered India’s #MeToo movement against Patekar was reported as closed.
This information is presented as documented legal proceedings and does not constitute a finding of guilt or innocence.
Lesser Known Facts
- Nana Patekar’s birth name is Vishwanath Patekar.
- He started working at age 13 and earned just ₹35 per month.
- He studied figurative art at Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art and initially planned a career in art.
- He and Irrfan Khan are the only actors to win Filmfare Awards in Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Villain categories.
- He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013, but said he didn’t deserve it. “Had they asked me, I’d have refused,” he told Filmfare.
- He spent only ₹750 on his wedding to Neelkanti Patekar.
- His first son passed away at two and a half years old.
- He once declined to buy a ₹1.5 crore car and instead distributed the money to families of farmers who had died by suicide.
- He made his streaming debut in 2026 with Sankalp, a Prakash Jha political thriller, at age 75.
- He is a philanthropist who co-founded the NAAM Foundation and continues to work for farmer welfare in Maharashtra.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Nana Patekar?
Nana Patekar is an Indian actor, filmmaker, and philanthropist known for his intense performances in Hindi and Marathi cinema. Born Vishwanath Patekar in 1951, he has won three National Film Awards and received the Padma Shri in 2013.
2. How old is Nana Patekar?
Nana Patekar is 75 years old as of October 2026. He was born on January 1, 1951.
3. When was Nana Patekar born?
Nana Patekar was born on January 1, 1951, in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra, India.
4. What is Nana Patekar’s real name?
His real name is Vishwanath Patekar. “Nana” is a Marathi nickname commonly used as his stage name.
5. Where is Nana Patekar from?
He was born in Murud-Janjira, a coastal village in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. He grew up in Mumbai.
6. Is Nana Patekar married?
Yes. Nana Patekar married Neelkanti Patekar in 1978. They are separated but remain legally married.
7. Who is Nana Patekar’s wife?
His wife is Neelkanti Patekar, a National Award-winning Marathi actress. She made a comeback in the 2025 film Chhaava.
8. Does Nana Patekar have children?
He has one surviving son, Malhar Patekar. His first son passed away at two and a half years old.
9. What is Nana Patekar’s net worth?
Some Indian media outlets have estimated his net worth at approximately ₹80 crore, though this figure has not been independently confirmed.
10. What is Nana Patekar known for?
He is known for intense performances in films including Krantiveer, Parinda, Ab Tak Chhappan, Natsamrat, and Welcome. He is also known for his philanthropic work through the NAAM Foundation.
11. What awards has Nana Patekar won?
He has won three National Film Awards (Best Supporting Actor for Parinda and Agni Sakshi, Best Actor for Krantiveer), two Filmfare Awards, and the Padma Shri in 2013.
12. What is Nana Patekar’s latest work?
His most recent work is the 2026 web series Sankalp, his streaming debut, directed by Prakash Jha. He is also attached to Welcome 4.
13. Did Nana Patekar serve in the Kargil War?
Some media reports reference his decision to quit acting temporarily to fight in the Kargil War, but this information has not been reliably confirmed in publicly available sources.
14. What is the NAAM Foundation?
The NAAM Foundation is an NGO co-founded by Nana Patekar and Makarand Anaspure to support farmers and their families affected by drought and farmer suicides in Maharashtra.
15. Is Nana Patekar on social media?
No verified personal social media accounts are publicly known for Nana Patekar. He maintains a low profile on digital platforms.
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