Veteran screenwriter Anjum Rajabali has recalled his interactions with Nana Patekar, describing the acclaimed actor as a passionate, strong-tempered man with a surprisingly soft heart. While Nana has often been known for his explosive temperament, Rajabali shared a personal anecdote that revealed the actor's generous and affectionate side, offering a glimpse into the person behind his formidable reputation.
Speaking about his memories of Nana, Rajabali said, “You see, I had some acquaintance and quite a bit of interaction with Nana Patekar. He had a reputation for being volatile—his temperament could be explosive at times—but if you interacted with him closely, you realized he had a very soft heart; I can say this from personal experience.”
Recalling an instance when someone wanted to pitch a script to Nana and asked him to arrange a meeting, Rajabali described how the actor welcomed him to his farmhouse. What followed was an experience that stayed with the screenwriter, as Nana proudly showed him around his property and shared a meal prepared by him. “I recall an instance where someone wanted to pitch a script to him and asked me to facilitate the meeting. When I called Nana, he invited me straight to his farmhouse. He showed me around with such pride and affection—displaying everything he had grown organically—and even sat right there on the ground in the fields to cook mutton curry himself,” Rajabali recalled.
The screenwriter went on to describe Nana as a man who valued his friendships deeply and approached both relationships and rivalries with equal intensity. “He was a man with a big heart—a true friend to his friends, and perhaps a fierce adversary to his enemies. He was a passionate man, somewhat of an extremist in both regards, but he was undeniably soft-hearted and generous,” he said.
Rajabali also acknowledged that Nana's temperament could make him a challenging person to work with professionally. However, he pointed out that the actor's demand in the film industry never diminished despite complaints from producers and directors. “Even though producers and directors often complained that working with him was difficult, the demand for him never waned; people still wanted him involved, so there had to be something special about him. That passion and that craft were absolutely unquestionable,” he added.
Rajabali shared these memories during Celebrate Cinema 2026, the annual festival hosted by Whistling Woods International at Film City in Mumbai. The festival's 14th edition centred on the theme “Impact of Big Screen Cinema,” exploring the enduring appeal of theatrical storytelling. The programme featured a high-profile session with producer Siddharth Roy Kapur, filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, film trade analyst Komal Nahta and screenwriter Anjum Rajabali, who moderated the discussion.
Known for his contributions to Hindi cinema, Rajabali has written films including Drohkaal, China Gate, Ghulam, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Raajneeti, Aarakshan, Chakravyuh, Satyagraha and Toofaan. He is also recognised for his work in film education and advocacy for screenwriters' rights. His recollection of Nana offered a nuanced portrait of an actor whose intense personality could be difficult to navigate, but whose generosity, commitment to his craft and passion left a lasting impression on those who knew him.