Anant Nag brings Dadasaheb Phalke to Kannada

In a big honour for Kannada cinema, veteran actor Anant Nag became the second artist from the State to win the Dadasaheb Phalke Award on Wednesday. The recognition comes a year after the actor was conferred with the Padma Bhushan.

After Dr. Rajkumar received the honour in 1995, no Kannada actor had bagged the country’s highest award in the field of cinema.

Anant Nag, who debuted with the 1973 Kannada film Sankalpa, has acted in more than 300 movies for over five decades in both mainstream and parallel cinema, with more than 250 of his performances being in Kannada. The actor, born Anant Nagarkatte in 1948 in Uttara Kannada district, began his acting stint with Kannada, Marathi, Hindi and Konkani plays, and has a rich background in theatre shaped largely in Mumbai.

Anant Nag is the recipient of five Karnataka State Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement honour. He will receive the Phalke award at the 72nd National Film Awards Ceremony on September 22, 2026 in Kevadia, Gujarat.

“It’s a great feeling to receive this honour. In a way, I feel the Padma Bhushan was a rehearsal for this big award, with all the excitement and anticipation that came with it. I dedicate this award to Kannadigas and Karnataka,” the actor told reporters in Bengaluru.

Anant Nag

An official statement from PIB read, “On the recommendation of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Selection Committee, the Government of India is pleased to announce that the actor will be conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 for his contribution to Indian cinema and an illustrious cinematic journey that has inspired generations.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the actor for “Infusing unparalleled performance and vitality in every role he played.” Mr. Modi took to social media, and said, “Over the past several decades, his natural acting, remarkable versatility, and exceptional artistic talent have left an indelible mark on Indian cinema, particularly in the Kannada film industry.” Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar also took to social media to commend Anant Nag’s cinematic journey and the Phalke award.

Though cinematographer V. K. Murthy, from Karnataka, was honoured with the award in 2008, it was for his work in Hindi cinema, making the award for Ananth Nag only the second recognition for Kannada cinema.