Kannada actor Anant Nag to be honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award

NEW DELHI: Veteran actor Anant Nag has been selected for the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 in recognition of his overall contribution to Indian cinema, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) announced.

The honour will be presented to him at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the acclaimed actor, praising his natural acting style and versatile performances across several decades. Modi noted that Nag’s work has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema, particularly highlighting his immense contribution to Kannada films.

Born Anant Nagarkatte on September 4, 1948, the prolific actor has appeared in over 300 films, including more than 250 Kannada titles, alongside major works in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Malayalam, and English. His notable cross-industry roles include playing Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma in Lenin Rajendran’s 1987 Malayalam film Swathi Thirunal. On television, he earned widespread affection for his performance in Doordarshan’s classic series Malgudi Days, based on R.K. Narayan's short stories.

Over his career, Nag has received five Karnataka State Film Awards. In 2025, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan, the nation's third-highest civilian award.