We should judge by talent and work not by community or caste.
Nana Patekar
I cook anything, be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian. But mutton dishes are my favourite.
We all are Indians, and that should be our only religion. What is the need to be called a Hindu, Muslim, or Christian? Does anybody have any religion or caste at the time of birth?
I come from a small village called Murud Janjira near Alibaug. I started doing theatre right from school days and later joined the Sir J. J. Institute of Applied Art, after which I joined an advertising agency.
I will never join politics under any circumstances.
I'm too blunt and straightforward for politics, but I'm friends with all.
Nobody can do a Govinda as well as Govinda can.
Bipasha is a very sincere and professional actor.
I'm a very simple and calm man, but when the camera is switched on, acting begins.
I would have loved to work with Satyajit Ray.
I've lost a lot in life because of my nature.
When my cousin sister got married to a Muslim boy, my family was baffled. All the brothers had abandoned her. But I said there is nothing wrong in it. We have not lost our sister. In fact, we got another family member in the form of that boy.
Trends keep changing, but I have and will always do what I like to do!
My role was very good and different in 'Khamoshi.'
The soldiers who serve in uniform at the front are our real heroes. They fight a battle every day to protect the integrity of the nation.
I don't want to do too many films because I don't aspire to buy huge cars or build bungalows.
I run a printing press from where I get my bread. If at all I get any butter, it comes from acting.
I wouldn't say I have a bad temper.
If you are serious about your work, honest and straight-forward, you are labelled eccentric.
Mature roles full of substance the kind played by Robert De Niro and Al Pacino - my favourite actors - is what I want to do.
I can't dance, but I have tried it in 'Kohram.'
I always do one film at a time.
Pu La was like a father figure to people of my generation. I thank him for the characters his literary works offered us. They personify full-fledged human beings and have always given me company.
I want to tell the children of Kashmir that they should read, write, and learn and come to the mainstream.
My mother is a very strong woman. We were seven kids; five of them passed away. My elder brother and I are alive. My mother lost five kids, her husband, her parents and siblings. But she is so strong, she is living for the people who are alive.
I used to be the chief guest in all the prize distribution ceremonies of shooting competitions. I tried my hand on a lot of guns, and my aim improved. I started hitting tiny targets, like a mineral bottle cap.
Though I have maintained proximity with all political parties, politics is not my cup of tea; my mission to speak against all wrongs will continue.
'Khamoshi' gave me the chance to prove that expressions can also say what dialogue could.
As an actor, I am always in one character or the other and get very little time to be Nana Patekar. So whenever I can, I love to be alone and by myself. That way, I get time to think and introspect.
Whether we have a new or an old director doesn't affect my work.
I don't understand how people do so many films at the same time. For me, two films a year.
I enjoy the love and admiration of the people.
Acting was just a hobby; I never needed butter from it.
Once I lose control, there's no stopping me.
I play the piano, paint, and go for trekking.
People have been unkind to me, but I do not want to swear vengeance. I am a simple human being.
I don't like eating outside food at all. I do it only if there is absolutely no choice. Whenever I have a party at home, and even if there are 25 people coming, I make it a point to cook everything at home, and I don't get any stuff from outside.
The more layers a story has, the better it is for the audience.
I do just a film a year and so have a lot of time.
If we don't move with time, we'll be stuck in old ways.
You shouldn't think about the fate of the films. The film might succeed or fail, but your performance must be good. You should work hard for every film.
Pu La's writing is multi-layered, multi-faceted, and deep.
What is the difference between me and a criminal? My crimes were not caught. Those of us whose crimes were not caught are on this side of the fence while criminals have been condemned on the other side.
If I would have not been in films, I would have become an anti-social element.
That's me: success and failure don't affect me.
I have always felt that promoting somebody else's mistake as a superlative product is not my cup of tea.
The purpose of making a successful film is to blend entertainment with social content.
Cooking is like doing yoga. There is a lot of satisfaction in cooking food for others.
Earlier in my career, there may have been compulsions for accepting films for money.
I don't need others to validate my good conduct.
