In a recent interview, veteran actor Paresh Rawal shared some light-hearted and insightful moments about his camaraderie with fellow actor Nana Patekar. Known for his bold and fearless personality, Nana’s attitude has always been a topic of admiration among his peers. Paresh recalled a funny incident where Nana invited a producer to his home for a meal. After the producer enjoyed a hearty plate of mutton, Nana casually instructed him to wash the dishes, saying, “You ate, now go and wash the dishes.” Rawal went on to describe Nana as a “legend” with a unique, no-nonsense approach to life, saying, “Baap hai, wo mitti alag hai.”
Rawal also reflected on the groundbreaking moments in Nana Patekar’s career, specifically his bold approach toward his worth as an actor. Paresh mentioned that Nana was the first character actor in the Hindi film industry to demand a whopping Rs 1 crore for a role. At the time, even lead actors didn’t make such demands, but Nana’s confidence and straightforward nature led him to ask for, and receive, this substantial sum. Rawal admired Nana’s honesty and lack of filters, describing him as someone who always speaks his mind and does things his own way, regardless of industry norms or expectations.
The two actors, who have shared screen space in several iconic films such as Krantiveer (1994), Ghulam-e-Mustafa (1997), Aanch (2003), Welcome (2007), and Welcome Back (2015), have developed a great bond over the years. Despite their differing personalities on-screen and off-screen, Rawal has always praised Nana’s approach to both his craft and life. According to Rawal, if an actor feels a genuine connection to a role, they might be willing to work for a nominal amount. However, if they are not interested, even a high-paying offer won’t persuade them to take up the role. He used Nana as an example to showcase how integrity and authenticity matter more than monetary value for true artists.
The relationship between the two has remained strong, with both actors respecting each other’s work ethic and personalities. Rawal’s reflections provide a glimpse into the quirky yet highly professional side of Nana Patekar, whose legendary status in Bollywood has only been solidified by such anecdotes.
As the conversation veered toward their on-screen collaborations, Paresh Rawal couldn’t help but admire Nana’s fearless attitude, which continues to inspire both their fans and colleagues in the industry.
