Veteran actor Anant Nag will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 for his contribution to Indian cinema. He will receive the highest honour in Indian cinema at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony on September 22, 2026, in Kevadia, Gujarat.
With a vast body of work spanning several decades, Nag is best known for his contribution to Kannada cinema, though he has also worked extensively in Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, and Malayalam films.
Veteran Actor Anant Nag Conferred With Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Press Information Bureau (PIB). Sharing the news, the PIB wrote, “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 to Indian cinema and an illustrious cinematic journey that has inspired generations.”
PM Modi Calls It ‘Indeed a Richly Deserved Honour’
Across a career spanning more than 50 years and over 300 films, Anant Nag is celebrated for his impeccable acting — including the voice he lent to Prashanth Neel’s Yash-starrer KGF: Chapter 1. Honouring his contribution to Indian cinema, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared a post describing the recognition as a “richly deserved honour.”
Sharing the post on his X handle, PM Modi wrote, “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.”
Known and celebrated for his naturalistic, understated performances, Nag was a prominent face of the parallel cinema movement in Indian cinema. A versatile actor, he collaborated with Shyam Benegal on landmark films such as Ankur, Nishant, and Manthan.
Nag made his feature film debut in 1973 with Sankalpa. While he featured in several films that came to define the parallel cinema movement, he also starred in commercially successful Kannada films, including Bayalu Daari (1976), Kanneshwara Rama (1977), Benkiya Bale (1983), Hendthige Helbedi (1989), Ganeshana Maduve (1990), Gowri Ganesha (1991), Mungaru Male (2006), Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu (2016), Raajakumara (2017), and Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu. In 2025, Anant Nag was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour.
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