The on-screen actor, who has often represented social issues, is also a real-life hero for lakhs of farmers

Known as an agricultural country, India is also referred to as the land of farmers because nearly 40 per cent of the nation’s workforce is associated with farming and related activities. However, it is unfortunate that even in 2026, the lives of farmers are far from being easy.

From flood and drought to financial crunch, the majority of Indian farmers live in dire conditions, because of which farmer su*cides are an unfortunate but common phenomenon in the condition.

 (Credit- The Quint)

In 2015, when farmers in Maharashtra were affected by drought, Nana Patekar, along with fellow Marathi actor Makrand Anaspure, sprang into action and set up the NAAM Foundation.

Today, on Nana Patekar’s 75th birthday, let us take a closer look at the NAAM Foundation’s origin and more.

A personal effort

On a fine evening, the actor was sipping his drink while watching television, and at the same time, he was thinking about buying a car worth INR 1.5 crore. However, at that very moment, the interview with a farmer's family was being televised on television.

 (Credit- YourStory)

The family’s sole breadwinner had committed su*cide but more than grief, they were worried about how or from where they'd manage two meals. That’s when Nana Patekar dialled his friend Makrand Anaspure and asked him to distribute the INR 1.5 crore among farmer families who had similar turmoil.

Igniting a fire

When Patekar had met families to distribute the cheque, he realised that his help wasn’t enough because the problem was much bigger. Therefore, he needed help from society. That’s when he and his friend Anaspure decided to begin the organisation NAAM Foundation—an NGO meant to uplift the lives of farmers and their families.

 (Credit- Punekar News)

On the day of registration, fans had lined up, but not for autographs and selfies. Instead, everybody contributed whatever they could, ranging from INR 2,000 by a tea seller to lakhs by other celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajinkya Rahane, etc.

Contributions

In the last 11 years, the NAAM Foundation has worked in several areas related to the lives of farmers and their families. From river rejuvenation, sustainable farming, financial aid, widow welfare, and village adoption to disaster relief, the NAAM Foundation aims at giving all-around support to farmer families. Several companies, such as Epiroc, BASF, Tata Motors, Tech Mahindra, and others, have supported the NAAM Foundation via their respective CSR programs.

On this 75th birthday, we thank Nana Patekar for the steps he took to support the farmers of our country. Patekar has always been a respected actor, but since 2015, he and Anaspure have been saviors whose names will forever be etched in India’s history books.