Nana Patekar's Plea: Farmers, Don't End Your Lives

Actor Nana Patekar recently made an emotional appeal to farmers facing hardship, imploring them to seek assistance rather than resort to suicide. He shared that the deep emotional scars left by Maharashtra's agrarian crisis significantly altered his perspective, drawing him away from the film industry towards struggling rural communities.

Patekar, who founded the NAAM Foundation about a decade ago, described the immense pain farmers endure, stating that even a frog jumps to escape danger. He recalled how witnessing young farmer widows and shattered families in places like Beed necessitated immediate intervention, leading to the foundation's expansion.

The NAAM Foundation has since undertaken various initiatives in farmer welfare, water conservation, and rural development across Maharashtra and other states. Patekar expressed that the satisfaction gained from this work exceeds all accolades and financial rewards from his acting career.

He also reflected on his cinematic journey, notably mentioning his role in 'Natsamrat' and appreciating late actor Vikram Gokhale's talent. Patekar admitted to feeling disconnected from urban life, stating that village environments make him feel more alive. He aspires to adopt a hilly village and dedicate more time to community work, especially in water conservation and sustainable development.