Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag, who has been selected for the 2024 Dadasaheb Phalke Award, has credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with bringing greater public participation into the award recommendation process.
Speaking to PTI Videos, Nag said award selection in the past had sometimes been influenced by what he described as “nepotism” and “favouritism.” He said the system changed after public recommendations were invited for the Padma Awards.
Anant Nag Thanks PM Modi for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Anant Nag said he was grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for announcing the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and said he would dedicate the honour to the people of Karnataka.
“I didn’t anticipate that I would be given this Phalke Award,” Nag said, adding that he was still coming to terms with the recognition.
The actor also expressed his gratitude to the people of Karnataka and the country for supporting his five-decade-long career.
Nag Says Public Participation Changed Award Recommendations
Discussing the award selection process, Nag said that public recommendations brought a new element to the way names were considered for national honours.
According to the actor, Prime Minister Modi encouraged people to recommend names for the Padma Awards. Nag said people from Karnataka subsequently recommended his name.
He described this public participation as an important change compared with the system he believed had existed earlier.
Actor Says He Never Expected Awards
Despite having worked in cinema for around 50 years, Anant Nag said he was never someone who expected to receive awards.
“I’ve never been in that culture of expecting an award,” he said, while noting that he valued the appreciation and support he received from audiences.
Nag said he does not have traditional fan associations but acknowledged the many people who have admired and supported his work throughout his career.
Anant Nag’s Advice to Young Actors
Asked what advice he would give to young people entering the film industry, Nag emphasised the importance of hard work and connecting with audiences.
He said aspiring actors and entertainment professionals need to work consistently and focus on pleasing the audience if they want to build successful careers in cinema.
Anant Nag’s Five-Decade Film Career
Anant Nag has appeared in more than 270 films, primarily in Kannada cinema, along with notable roles in Hindi films.
Born and raised in Bhatkal in coastal Karnataka, Nag developed an interest in literature and storytelling at an early age. His time in Mumbai brought him closer to theatre, where he worked in Konkani, Hindi and Marathi productions.
During his theatre years, he came into contact with prominent personalities including Satyadev Dubey, Girish Karnad and Amol Palekar.
Nag made his Kannada film debut with Sankalpa in 1973 and later became an important figure in the parallel cinema movement of the 1970s and 1980s.
From Malgudi Days to KGF
Anant Nag has worked across cinema and television. He was part of the popular Doordarshan series Malgudi Days, based on the works of R K Narayan and directed by his brother, filmmaker Shankar Nag.
His notable Kannada films include Bayalu Daari, Na Ninna Bidalaare, Gauri Ganesha, Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu and KGF Chapter-1.
His Hindi film credits include acclaimed parallel cinema titles such as Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, Bhumika, Kondura, Kalyug and Gehrayee.
Anant Nag’s Political Career
Apart from his acting career, Anant Nag has also been involved in public life. He served as a Bengaluru Development Minister in the J H Patel-led Karnataka government.
He has previously spoken about his association with the JP movement and, in 2004, contested the Chamarajpet Assembly constituency in Bengaluru on a Janata Dal (Secular) ticket. He was unsuccessful in that election.
When Will Anant Nag Receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award?
Anant Nag is scheduled to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the National Film Awards ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22, 2026.
The award for 2024 is being presented as part of the delayed National Film Awards schedule. Malayalam superstar Mohanlal was the previous recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Instituted in 1969, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s highest honour for an individual’s contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema. It is named after Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, widely regarded as the father of Indian cinema and the filmmaker behind Raja Harishchandra, India’s first full-length feature film, released in 1913.
Key Takeaways
- Anant Nag has been selected for the 2024 Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
- The veteran actor said public participation changed the award recommendation process.
- Nag credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for encouraging public recommendations for Padma Awards.
- He has completed around 50 years in the film industry and acted in more than 270 films.
- The Dadasaheb Phalke Award ceremony is scheduled for September 22, 2026, in Kevadia, Gujarat.
