Money, Nah!: Nana, Shahid's Free Study!

He's been lauded as an "eccentric genius," and several filmmakers confess (purely off record, that he's "quite mad!"). Though, there's little disputing that exists a healthy, philanthropic side to the actor.

Nana Patekar's short fuse generates racy copy for tabloids, but most are now becoming aware that he's a great Samaritan, at heart. Incidentally, Patekar refused to accept any fee for Eros International's 'Paathshaala.' Instead, he insisted that producer Shaira Khan donate the amount to a few charitable trusts that the actor has been involved with.

Confirming the news, producer Shaira Khan says, "Initially, he told us that we should make five cheques to cover his fee for the project. But when it was time to actually hand them over to him, he took us by surprise. He told us to issue the cheques in the names of the charitable organisations. There is so much hearsay about Nana Patekar and the kind of person he is. But any such thoughts banished from my first meeting with him itself. For me, he is a sweetheart."

Nana Patekar who essays a school principal in 'Paathshala' was moved by the concept of the film which centres around the pressures faced by children at the hands of our education system. Charging any fee for such a noble cause seemed downright mercenary to him and the actor merrily chucked away his remuneration. One good turn deserves another. Echoing Patekar's sentiment, the pricey Shahid Kapoor volitionally cast away his price too for 'Paatshaala.' Helmed by Milind Ukey, this one's a charitable study by itself, already…

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