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Anant Nag: 5 Decades of Cinema Honored
22 Sep
Summary
- Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contributions.
- His career began uncertainly after moving to Mumbai at age 12.
- He dedicated the award to everyone who worked with him and fans.
Veteran actor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award on September 22, 2026, at the 72nd National Film Awards in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. The honour recognizes his outstanding and invaluable contribution to Indian cinema over more than five decades. Nag, who turns 78 this month, has acted in over 300 films across multiple languages and also contributed to television, notably 'Malgudi Days'.
Nag's journey began with uncertainty after moving to Mumbai at age 12, where he first acted in a play. He described his early years in theatre as a crucial training ground, leading to offers in Kannada and Hindi cinema. While working in Hindi films, he ultimately chose to return to Karnataka, which became his 'karmabhoomi' due to growing opportunities.
He dedicated the award to the people who have been part of his career and the audiences who embraced his characters. Nag, who also received the Padma Bhushan last year from President Droupadi Murmu, fittingly received this highest cinematic honour from her as well. He concluded by stating, "This great country has been my janmabhoomi, Karnataka my karmabhoomi and Bharat my dharmabhoomi."
Nag is the second actor from the Kannada film industry to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, following Dr. Rajkumar in 1995. His career has spanned various languages, genres, and generations, marking a significant milestone with this recognition.
