Bollywood actor Nana Patekar has always been known for his intense personality, both on and off the screen. Over the years, his short temper and outspoken nature have often made headlines, including his much-discussed fallout with filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra during the making of Parinda. However, writer Ranbir Pushp recently shared a different side of the veteran actor, recalling an incident that showed just how generous Nana can be.
Ranbir Pushp worked with Nana Patekar in Partho Ghosh’s 1996 psychological thriller Agnisakshi. In a recent conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Ranbir spoke about Nana’s personality and said that people may have formed the wrong impression of him simply because of the way he interacts with others.
According to Ranbir, Nana’s intense temperament should not be confused with a lack of kindness. He recalled a particularly emotional incident involving farmers and their families. Nana was reportedly watching the news one day when he saw heartbreaking reports about families struggling after farmers had died by suicide.
At the time, Nana was planning to buy a luxury car worth around ₹1.5 crore. However, after seeing the suffering of the families, he reportedly changed his mind. Instead of spending the money on the car, he decided to help the affected families.
Ranbir recalled that Nana contacted an artist friend and asked him to prepare cheques of ₹50,000 each, which were then distributed among families affected by farmer suicides. The decision, according to Ranbir, reflected Nana’s emotional response to what he had seen on television.
Ranbir also mentioned Nana’s connection with farming and his efforts to support people in rural communities. Nana later became associated with Naam Foundation, an organisation working for farmers and people affected by drought and rural distress. His work in this area has added another dimension to the actor’s public image.
While speaking about Nana’s temperament, Ranbir also recalled another incident that showed the actor’s strong sense of responsibility. He said that Nana once stopped his car after seeing someone throw a plastic bottle on the road. Nana reportedly questioned the person and reminded him that keeping the country clean was also the responsibility of ordinary citizens.
Ranbir described Nana as someone who strongly believes in what he considers right and can become furious when he sees something that goes against those principles. His stories suggest that his anger and intensity may sometimes come from his strong reactions to situations rather than simply from a desire to create conflict.
Nana’s temperament has also been discussed by filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra. During an appearance on the singing reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in 2024, Chopra spoke about his experience working with Nana during Parinda.
Chopra recalled that he had watched Nana perform in the play Purush and was impressed by his acting. However, when they began working together, he found Nana’s intense working style difficult to handle. Chopra said Nana would abuse him during the shoot, leaving him wondering how he could direct an actor who was so intimidating.
Despite the disagreements and clashes associated with Nana over the years, Ranbir Pushp’s story highlights a lesser-known side of the actor. Behind his famous temper and intense personality, there have also been moments when he chose to use his money and influence to help people facing serious difficulties.
Nana Patekar’s journey therefore presents two very different sides of the same person — an actor known for his fiery temperament and a public figure who has also shown deep concern for farmers and families in distress. Whether people see his anger as part of his personality or his passion for what he believes is right, stories like Ranbir Pushp’s offer another perspective on the veteran actor.
