Standing by farmers on a monthly income of 35 rupees—a different story from Nana Patekar's life.

A monthly income of just 35 rupees, plus one meal a day. Driven by the need to earn a living, he began painting movie posters at the age of just 13. During his college years, he even earned money by painting zebra crossings on the streets. That very teenager would one day emerge as one of Indian cinema's most powerful actors.
Nana Patekar achieved fame, wealth, and National Film Awards, yet he never forgot the days of hardship. In fact, those very life experiences drove him to stand by distressed farmers and their families. Beyond the silver screen, he forged another identity—that of an actor who champions the cause of the people.

Nana Patekar passed away on October 8 at the age of 75. After suffering a heart attack at his residence in Goa, he was taken to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Following his passing, his long-standing humanitarian work has come into the spotlight alongside his illustrious acting career.

Starting with 35 rupees and one meal
Nana Patekar was acquainted with hardship from childhood. In an interview with *Reader's Digest*, he revealed that at the age of 13, he used to paint movie posters in exchange for 35 rupees a month and a single meal.
He had to seek ways to earn money even while in college; he would receive 15 rupees for painting zebra crossings on the streets.
Those difficult life experiences deeply influenced his humanitarian outlook in later years. Nana often said he could easily empathize with the suffering of the underprivileged, feeling others' pain as if it were his own.

Success in acting, simplicity in life
Rising above the days of scarcity, Nana Patekar established himself in the world of acting. He showcased his versatility through diverse roles in films such as *Parinda*, *Krantiveer*, *Agni Sakshi*, *Ab Tak Chhappan*, and *Welcome*.
Whether playing a stern police officer, a defiant crusader, or a comic character, he always maintained a distinctive presence. His piercing gaze, unique dialogue delivery, and intense acting style set him apart from the rest. However, success did not significantly alter his lifestyle. He preferred living in a modest apartment and spending time at his village home. He had no particular interest in expensive clothing, luxurious homes, or the glitz and glamour associated with stardom.
In a 2015 interview, Nana stated that his needs were very limited. To him, spending money to bring a smile to a farmer's face was far more meaningful than buying an expensive car worth ten million rupees.

He was deeply moved by the plight of farmers.
In 2015, severe drought struck various regions of Maharashtra. Many farmers were devastated by crop failure, the burden of debt, and financial crises. During this same period, alarming reports of farmer suicides were also surfacing.
These events deeply affected Nana Patekar. He began visiting the families of affected farmers.
He provided financial assistance of ₹15,000 each to 62 families of farmers who had committed suicide in the Vidarbha region. Later, he extended similar financial aid to another 113 families in the Latur and Osmanabad regions.
However, after meeting the families in person, Nana realized that a one-time cash handout could not provide a permanent solution to the crisis; long-term initiatives were required.

Thus, the ‘Naam Foundation’ was born.
Driven by this realization, Nana Patekar co-founded the ‘Naam Foundation’ in September 2015 alongside Marathi actor Makarand Anaspure.
According to the organization's own data, it works in various areas, including providing aid to drought-stricken farmers, water conservation, reservoir restoration, and rural development. One of its primary objectives was to seek long-term solutions to the issues of farmer suicides and financial distress.

In a 2016 interview with *Governance Now*, Nana explained that after seeing a report on television about a farmer's suicide and the subsequent plight of his family, he initially wanted to help using his own savings. However, upon visiting the affected families, he felt that standing by them for the long haul was necessary.
It was this realization that prompted him to expand the scope of his personal assistance and begin working through an organized institution. Not Just Money, But Emotional Support Too
In 2018, Nana told *The Times of India* that merely providing money to farmers was not enough; they also required emotional and social support. It was crucial to ensure they did not feel alone during times of crisis.
Driven by this philosophy, the Naam Foundation expanded its activities beyond financial aid to include long-term initiatives focused on water conservation, livelihood support, and rural development.
A 2025 report by *Navbharat Times* stated that, through the Naam Foundation's initiatives, the widows of over 2,641 farmers in Maharashtra received financial assistance. Some were helped with house construction, while others were provided with means to earn a livelihood.
According to data published by the foundation covering the period from 2015 to 2025, 2,246 water sources were restored and 178 rivers were rejuvenated in Maharashtra. The organization claims that more than 7.7 million farmers have benefited from these initiatives.

Active in the Work Even in the Year Before His Passing
Nana Patekar remained involved with the Naam Foundation's activities in 2026. In May, he participated in a water conservation event in Nagpur as the organization's president.
The core message of his speech there was that the drive for water conservation must come from within people, rather than being merely for show.
Earlier, in February of that year, news emerged of a new development partnership between the Maharashtra government and the Naam Foundation. Key objectives of this initiative included water conservation, river dredging, and the improvement of rural livelihoods in the Gadchiroli region.

Standing by People Brings Joy, Not Publicity
Nana Patekar did not like to publicize his charitable work.
In an interview with *Reader's Digest*, he was asked why he did not publicize the extensive work he did for people.
Nana replied that while others set off fireworks and bought sweets during Diwali, for him, the helpless...