Nana Patekar Reflects on Village Life and Bollywood’s Changing Culture

A resurfaced clip from Nana Patekar’s appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati 16 has reignited discussion around the actor’s famously simple lifestyle. In the widely shared exchange with Amitabh Bachchan, Patekar explained why he prefers living in his village rather than embracing the glamour often associated with the film industry.

A resurfaced clip from Nana Patekar’s appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati 16 has drawn renewed attention to the veteran actor’s grounded outlook on life. Speaking with host Amitabh Bachchan, Patekar explained why he chose to step away from the trappings of stardom and spend much of his time in his village, a lifestyle he says reflects who he truly is.

During the conversation, Bachchan asked Patekar why he had distanced himself from the glamour and social circles of the film industry despite enjoying a successful career.

“I don’t really belong to the film industry. I come here, do my work, and then run back. I’ve never been someone who attends parties here. That lifestyle doesn’t appeal to me. It’s just not who I am. I come from a village, and I will always remain a village man. That’s where I feel most at home,” Patekar said.

Bachchan responded warmly, saying, “It makes us very proud to see that.”

‘When Your Needs Are Limited, Life Becomes Easier’

The actor went on to share his philosophy on contentment and simplicity, describing how a modest lifestyle has brought him peace.

“Amit ji, I received far more than I ever wished for. Life has given me a lot. When your needs are limited, everything becomes much easier. I truly enjoy that life. In the city, people have walls around their homes. Where I live, we have mountains around us, and we live amidst them. Life is so simple there,” he said.

Bachchan praised the sentiment, calling it “a wonderful thing.”

The exchange has resonated with audiences online, with many highlighting Patekar’s long-standing reputation for leading a life away from the spotlight despite his prominence in Indian cinema.

Nana Patekar on Actors Becoming Less Accessible

Patekar also shared his views on changes within the Hindi film industry during a separate conversation with filmmaker Prakash Jha while discussing Jha’s upcoming project Sankalp, which also stars Sanjay Kapoor.

Speaking about the challenges of working with major stars, Patekar argued that actors have become increasingly difficult to approach because of multiple layers of management.

“This is because earlier you could talk to a star directly, but now it is not possible. Today we have to go through multiple people to meet the star. To meet the star, you first have to meet 100 people. You have to give the star the script and then he/she will direct you whether you should make this film or not,” he said.

Patekar contrasted that environment with earlier working relationships in the industry and remarked that personal connections between actors and filmmakers appear less common than before.

“Often, I ask Prakash if this actor called him, but then he tells me that the relationship between the actor and him is only limited to the film. Prakash tells me that only I and Amitabh Bachchan call him.”

Elaborating on the point, he added that calls should not always be work-related. “Kaam ke liye nahi phone karne ka. Bas aise hi puchne ke tu kaisa hai?” he said, explaining the importance of checking on people beyond professional obligations.

Prakash Jha Raises Concerns Over Growing Entourage Costs

Jha linked the issue of accessibility to the growing number of managers, agencies and support staff surrounding actors. He argued that these layers contribute to rising production costs.

“All these layers who have been employed—the corporate, the management company, the creative company, managers—all these get a salary and which is why they have to show some work,” Jha said.

The filmmaker also cited an example of a young actor travelling with an entourage of nearly 28 people, describing it as a reflection of changing industry aspirations.

The discussion briefly turned to artificial intelligence and script selection. When an anecdote was shared about an actor using ChatGPT to evaluate a script, Patekar responded with humour, drawing laughter from those present.

Recent Work

Nana Patekar was last seen in O’Romeo, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. He is next set to appear in Prakash Jha’s Sankalp, alongside Sanjay Kapoor.