Cinema VinesVeteran Kannada actor Anant Nag was awarded the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024, the highest honour in Indian cinema, during the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony held in Gujarat on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. The lifetime achievement award recognises Nag’s five‑decade career, in which he appeared in more than 300 films across Kannada, Hindi and other Indian languages, and his lasting influence on actors, filmmakers and audiences alike.
Nag, who began his artistic journey on the stage in his native Shirali, Uttara Kannada district, made his film debut with the 1973 Kannada movie Sankalpa and later collaborated with noted filmmaker Shyam Benegal on the Hindi film Ankur. His versatility has seen him play a wide range of roles—from comedic characters to leading parts and significant supporting roles—most recently earning praise for his performance in Yash’s blockbuster KGF Chapter 1.
In accepting the award, Nag expressed gratitude to the directors, screenwriters, producers and audiences who had supported him throughout his long journey. He also recalled the saintly poet Kanakadasa, quoting the line “All that we do is for food and cloth,” underscoring his humble view of the art form.
Previously honoured with the Padma Bhushan, Nag’s receipt of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award marks a further milestone in a career that has shaped Kannada cinema and inspired generations of performers across India.
