Entertainment
oi-Gaurav Sharma
Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag has been chosen for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024, recognising his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema and his decades-long career as one of Kannada cinema’s most respected performers.
The announcement was made by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The government said the decision was based on the recommendation of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Selection Committee.
Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag is honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 for his outstanding contributions to Indian cinema. Announced by PIB on Sept 16, 2026, the award will be presented on Sept 22, 2026, in Kevadia, Gujarat, recognizing his distinguished decades-long career.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Anant Nag on the honour, praising his versatility and the depth he has brought to his performances over several decades. Modi said the actor had made a lasting contribution to Indian cinema, particularly Kannada cinema, and described the award as recognition of his distinguished career.
The prestigious honour will be presented to Anant Nag during the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony, scheduled to take place in Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22, 2026.
Anant Nag’s remarkable film career
Born on September 4, 1948, Anant Nag has enjoyed a career spanning more than five decades. He has acted in over 270 films, including more than 175 Kannada productions. His work has also extended to Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi and Malayalam cinema.
Nag entered films with the 1973 Kannada movie Sankalpa. He subsequently became a prominent face of Indian parallel and art-house cinema, working with acclaimed filmmaker Shyam Benegal in movies such as Ankur, Nishant, Bhumika and Kondura.
His work was not limited to films. He also became familiar to television audiences through the popular Doordarshan series Malgudi Days, based on the writings of celebrated author R.K. Narayan.
Padma Bhushan recognition
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award adds to a series of major honours received by Anant Nag. In 2025, he was conferred the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award.
With the latest honour, Anant Nag joins the list of Indian cinema personalities recognised with the country’s highest award for lifetime contribution to the film industry.
