Nana Patekar was 13 when he began earning Rs 35

Nana Patekar, the iconic Indian actor who passed away at the age of 75, revealed in a 2015 interview the formative years that influenced his intense performances and candid nature. At the age of 13, Patekar's family's financial downfall compelled him to start working. He walked eight kilometers after school each day to paint film posters in Chunabhatti, earning a modest Rs 35 per month and receiving only one meal a day.

Patekar viewed these years not merely as hardship, but as invaluable lessons that shaped him. He claimed that losing his family's property at 13 forced him to begin working, which ultimately became his education. Despite the challenges, Patekar credited these experiences for his ability to act without formal training. He also reflected on his evolving relationship with food and sweets, stating that he has never developed a taste for sweets since he was unable to afford them as a child.

Patekar's interview offers a glimpse into the struggles that fueled his legendary on-screen persona, revealing a man who transformed personal hardships into a powerful drive for his craft.