Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag has been selected for the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 in recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema spanning more than five decades.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the honour following the recommendation of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Selection Committee of the Central Government. The award recognises Nag’s long and distinguished career and his contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.
Nag has worked in more than 300 films across several Indian languages, including Kannada and Hindi. His notable works include Ankur and Malgudi Days, among several other films and television projects.
Anant Nag to Be Honoured on September 22
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 will be presented to Anant Nag at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony. The event is scheduled to take place on September 22 at Kevadia in Gujarat.
Born on September 4, 1948, in Karnataka, Nag began his acting career with the Kannada feature film Sankalp. He later made his Hindi film debut with Ankur. Over the course of his career, he has taken on a wide range of roles in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil and Marathi cinema.
His career reached the milestone of 50 years in 2023, marking his Golden Jubilee in the film industry.
Awards and Recognition
Anant Nag’s career has earned him several major honours. He has received five Filmfare Awards and five Karnataka State Best Actor Awards. His other recognitions include the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award and Karnataka State Lifetime Achievement Award.
He has also received an Honorary Doctorate from Bangalore University (North). The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 2025.
Beyond his acting career, Nag has also been involved in public service. He served as a Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council from 1988 to 1994 and later as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from 1994 to 1999. During his time in public office, he served as Minister of State for Bangalore City Development.
History of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award was instituted by the Central Government in 1969 to honour outstanding contributions to Indian cinema. Devika Rani was the first recipient of the award.
The honour commemorates Dadasaheb Phalke, who directed Raja Harishchandra, India’s first full-length feature film, in 1913.
Recognised as the highest award in the field of Indian cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award is presented for an “outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema”. The award includes a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl and a cash prize of ₹10 lakh.