Nana Patekar, the man whose forthrightness can be tough for some and entertaining for others, met Shubarna Mukerji Shu's questions with an honesty which makes a must-read! Every time I happen to mention Nana Patekar to any of my journalist friends their eyes grow wide in anticipation as if I am going to hurl a long, loud dialogue from one of Nana's films. It always perturbs me because he is one man who can easily be the most chilled out actor we have in the industry. Respected by all, he doesn’t demand the chair - he just gets it… So why he makes people so jittery around him, never really makes sense to me. I have heard co-scribes tell me that they don’t know if they had it in them to talk to him in person and so prefer to interview him over the phone. Some tell me they forgot their questionnaires when they were in front of him. I had to know what he does that turns people into a bowl of jelly. Why do you scare people? I asked him. He just smiled. After patting my back as if we were bum-chums he said, “Maybe because I speak the truth. I tell them what they are, and not necessarily speak what they want to hear!” he was still grinning. Guess he likes the image he has created of himself in the media. He likes it when journalists think twice before talking to him and the masses just walk straight over to give him a hug. He says he hits people with the truth but it is mostly the bluntness that kills others’ confidence. But no one can complain, for he is just being himself. Highlights: “I am an actor but that is only when I know that the camera is rolling. When it stops, I stop. Seedhi si baat hai, I am paid to act, you pay me now and I will start acting in this interview too.” “All the films I hoped I would get to be a part of Naseer would end up bagging! I hated him for that. There was a time I would keep praying to God ki uska accident ho jaye and I get his roles but life doesn’t go that way.” “Khud jiyenge tabhi dusre ko bachayenge, that’s our mentality today. So if the actors think they should first fill their pockets and then think about the world, it should not come as a surprise to people. That’s what everyone is doing!” “My son assisted Amol and Chitra (Palekar) and now he is going to assist Rohit Shetty. He is a fine young boy; he will do what he wants to do. If he works well he will be liked, if he doesn’t, he will have to choose some other profession!” “Naseer kar raha tha na! All the films I hoped I would get to be a part of Naseer would end up bagging! I hated him for that; even today people keep giving his examples… I hate it. There was a time I would keep praying to God ki uska accident ho jaye and I get his roles but life doesn’t go that way. God forbid, if something had to happen to Naseer, I still wouldn’t have got the role if I was not destined for it. Similarly his being around doesn’t mean I am not getting what I am meant to get.” To read this entire story grab your copy of CineBlitz today. Current issue now on stands