Nana Patekar is one of the most talented performers in Indian film industry. He is a versatile actor who is also a prominent theatre personality. He was very keen to do drama and stage performance from his childhood. After his graduation, Nana actively participated theatre. Upon the influence of eminent actor Smita Patil, Nana Patekar got involved with films. From his very first film, Nana Patekar believed in doing different roles and so far has come out with a wide variety of performances. Nana Patekar is said to have a unique acting style.

Early Life of Nana Patekar
His birth name was Vishwanath Patekar but he is popularly known as Nana Patekar. The actor was born in Murud-Janjira, Maharashtra. His father was Dankar Patekar and mother was Sangana Patekar. He completed his graduation from J. J. Institute of Applied Arts.

Acting Career of Nana Patekar
Nana Patekar`s first film Aaj Ki Awaz was not commercially successful and it could not get him much recognition. Some other unnoticed films were, Gaman, Mohre, which released in 1987 and Salaam Bombay in 1988. But N. Chandra tapped this budding talent in Ankush, which slung him to fame. Some of Nana Patekar`s other films are Amol Palekar`s Thoda Sa Romani Ho Jaaye, Vidhu Vinod Chopra`s Parinda, Mehul Kumar`s Krantiveer, Aziz Mirza`s Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s Khamoshi, Partho Ghosh`s Agnisakhi and N. Chandra`s Wajood. Nana played brilliantly with his schizophrenic character in Wajood. In that film, he played the role of a theatre personality.

Nana is very humble by nature. He has also made a film Prahaar with Madhuri Dixit and Dimple Kapadia. The film was critically acclaimed and it also helped in taking Nana`s career to its height. Nana Patekar has also tried comedy where he became very successful. His Taxi No 9.2.11 and recent Welcome boast his comical skills. The actor is also well known for his role in the movie Ab Tak Chappan in which he played a police officer. He played the negative role in Apharan, opposite Ajay Devgn. The film was acclaimed by all.

Awards of Nana Patekar
Nana Patekar won the Filmfare and National film award as Best Actor`s Award in supporting role for his film Parinda in 1990 and Filmfare Best Actor and also National film Award in Krantiveer in the year 1995. Krantiveer also bagged him Star Screen Award as Best Actor. He also won the Filmfare Best Villain Award in 1992 for Angaar. In 1997, he again won the National Film Award as Best Actor in Supporting Role for his film Agnisakshi. For his Ab Tak Chappan, Nana Patekar got BFJA Best Actor Award. Another film is Apaharan for which he received the Filmfare as well as the Star Screen Award as the Best Villain. He has also won AIFA award for Best Villain in 2006 for his Apharan.

Personal Life of Nana Patekar
The actor is always exploring his inner talents and Nana Patekar has also impressed his fans with playback singing in the films Yeshwant, Wajood and Aanch. The actor is renowned for his generosity to the poor and established himself as one of the most admired actors in the Bollywood fraternity as well. Nana Patekar is also well known for his sketches. His sketches sometime even help Mumbai Police to track criminals.

Nana has done some Marathi films also.