Nana Patekar

Biography:

Vishwanath Patekar, popularly known as Nana Patekar, is an Indian actor, screenwriter, filmmaker, and former officer in the Indian Territorial Army. He primarily works in Hindi and Marathi cinema and is celebrated as one of the most influential actors in Indian cinema. Patekar’s outstanding performances have earned him three National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards, and two Filmfare Awards Marathi. In recognition of his contributions to cinema and the arts, he was honored with the Padma Shri in 2013.

Patekar made his Bollywood debut in the 1978 drama “Gaman” and subsequently appeared in several Marathi and Bollywood films. His role in the Academy Award-nominated “Salaam Bombay” (1988) earned him critical acclaim. He won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “Parinda” (1989). He continued to impress with a negative role in “Angaar” (1992) and made his directorial debut with “Prahaar: The Final Attack” (1991).

Throughout the 1990s, Patekar starred in several successful films, including “Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman” (1992), “Angaar” (1992), “Tirangaa” (1993), and “Krantiveer” (1994), where he won the National Film Award and Filmfare Award for Best Actor. His notable performances continued with “Agni Sakshi” (1996) and “Khamoshi: The Musical” (1996), earning him further accolades.

In the early 2000s, Patekar received acclaim for roles in “Shakti: The Power” (2002), “Ab Tak Chhappan” (2004), and “Apaharan” (2005), winning his second Filmfare Award for Best Villain for “Apaharan”. He gained widespread praise for his portrayal of Uday Shetty in the comedy “Welcome” (2007) and its sequel “Welcome Back” (2015), and a politician in “Raajneeti” (2010).

In 2016, Patekar starred in the critically acclaimed Marathi film “Natsamrat”, portraying a retired stage actor, a role that earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Marathi).