Nana Patekar Was a Cooking Enthusiast Too: He Made a Special Fish Dish With 42 Ingredients, Learned Cooking From His Mother

Nana Patekar was one of Indian cinema's most distinctive actors, known for his intense performances, powerful dialogue delivery and memorable characters. But away from the camera, the veteran actor had a much simpler and more homely side—he loved cooking.

According to an Aaj Tak report published after his death, Nana Patekar was particularly fond of preparing food himself and had learned cooking from his mother. His passion for cooking was so strong that he would sometimes take over the kitchen even during film shoots. 

When Nana Patekar Turned Into a Chef

One of the interesting stories about Nana's love for cooking dates back to the shooting of the film Malamal Weekly.

During the shoot, Nana decided to prepare food for the film's team himself. He made a special fish dish, and people on the set who tasted it reportedly praised his cooking.

What made the dish particularly interesting was its elaborate masala.

The Special 42-Ingredient Masala

Nana Patekar's fish preparation was not an ordinary recipe. According to the report, the special masala used for the dish was made using around 42 different ingredients.

The preparation reportedly took nearly four hours, showing how much time and attention Nana was willing to devote to cooking. He even carried the special masala with him during shooting. 

For an actor known for his serious screen presence, this lesser-known passion offered a completely different glimpse into his personality.

He Learned Cooking From His Mother

For Nana Patekar, cooking wasn't simply a hobby. It had an emotional connection to his childhood and his mother.

He had reportedly shared that when his mother cooked during his childhood, he would stay around her and carefully observe what she was doing. Over time, he learned the basics of cooking by watching and learning from her. 

That childhood connection remained with him even after he became a celebrated actor.

From Vegetarian Dishes to Non-Veg Food

Nana wasn't limited to preparing non-vegetarian dishes. According to the report, he could also cook vegetarian food.

However, mutton-based dishes were among his favourites, and he preferred keeping his cooking relatively simple rather than relying on elaborate presentation.

He Didn't Like Eating Outside

Another interesting aspect of Nana's food habits was his reported dislike of eating outside.

Even when there was a gathering of around 25 people at home, Nana preferred cooking himself rather than ordering food from outside.

This passion for cooking reflected the simple and grounded side of an actor whose public image was often associated with intense and powerful characters.

A Different Side of Nana Patekar

Nana Patekar's death at the age of 75 has brought renewed attention to his life and personality beyond his film career. His acting legacy is well known, but stories like his love for cooking reveal a more personal side of the actor.

From learning recipes while watching his mother cook to preparing a fish dish with a 42-ingredient masala for his film unit, Nana's relationship with food was clearly more than just a casual hobby.

His fans may remember him for his unforgettable characters and dialogues, but these lesser-known stories also offer a glimpse of the simple, hands-on personality behind the screen legend.