Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag to receive Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag will receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 for his contribution to Indian cinema and his long career across films, theatre and television, the Union government announced on Wednesday. The award, conferred on the recommendation of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Selection Committee, will be presented at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat, on 22 September. In 2025, Nag was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award.

THE DADASAHEB PHALKE AWARD 2024 GOES TO…

Shri ANANT NAG

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… pic.twitter.com/3WKnWZDGs0

— PIB India (@PIB_India) September 16, 2026

Nag has acted in over 300 films, including more than 250 Kannada films. His other film credits include Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Malayalam and English productions. His work has also included parallel cinema, theatre and television.He made his feature-film debut with Sankalpa in 1973, directed by Prof PV Nanjaraj Urs. The film went on to win seven State awards in Karnataka. He continues to be active in industry.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Anant Nag for the honour and wrote on X, "Congratulations to the legendary Anant Nag Ji on being conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. For several decades, his effortless performances, remarkable versatility and brilliance have left a very strong mark on Indian cinema, particularly Kannada cinema. In whichever role he has played, he brought rare depth and authenticity. This is indeed a richly deserved honour for a truly distinguished artist."
Born Anant Nagarkatte on September 4, 1948, Anant Nag is one of the most respected names in Kannada cinema. Apart from his work in films, Anant Nag is also known for his television appearances. He featured in the popular Doordarshan series Malgudi Days, based on the stories of celebrated author RK Narayan. The veteran actor has received five Karnataka State Film Awards during his illustrious career. 
Nag also entered electoral politics and was associated with the Janata Party. He served as a Member of the Legislative Council and later as an MLA, and was a Minister in the JH Patel government, holding the Bangalore Urban Development portfolio. In the 2004 Karnataka Assembly elections, he contested the Chamarajpet constituency in Bengaluru as a Janata Dal (Secular) candidate against then Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader SM Krishna and actor Mukhyamantri Chandru of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

(State Correspondent)