Actor Anant Nag will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 for his contribution to Indian cinema and his outstanding cinematic journey. This award will be presented on September 22, 2026, at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony. The Government of India announced this decision on September 16, 2026. President Droupadi Murmu will present the awards at Ekta Nagar (formerly Kevadia) in Gujarat. Anant Nag is being honoured with this award in recognition of his illustrious cinematic journey spanning over five decades, which has inspired generations of artists.
Anant Nag: A Veteran Indian Actor
Anant Nag was born on September 4, 1948, in Karnataka and entered the world of acting in the early 1970s. He began his acting career with the Kannada feature film Sankalpa, while making his Hindi cinema debut with the film Ankur. He has brought a wide variety of characters to life in over 300 films across six Indian languages.
His body of work also includes the immensely popular television series Malgudi Days. He has won five Filmfare Awards and five Karnataka State Awards for Best Actor. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 2025. His cinematic journey spans more than five decades and has inspired multiple generations of artists.
Recipient of 5 Filmfare Awards and Five Karnataka State Best Actor Awards
Anant has received five Filmfare Awards and five Karnataka State Awards for Best Actor. Additionally, he has been honoured with the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award, and the Karnataka State Lifetime Achievement Award. He also holds an honorary doctorate from Bengaluru University (North). In 2023, he celebrated the golden jubilee of his 50-year career in cinema. Held the post of Minister of State for Bengaluru City Development
Beyond cinema, Anant served as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council from 1988 to 1994 and as a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1994 to 1999. During this period, he also held the post of Minister of State for Bengaluru City Development. In 2025, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan. Today, Anant Nag is one of India’s most respected cultural figures, acclaimed for his versatility, humility, and enduring contribution to Indian cinema.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest honour in the field of Indian cinema. It was instituted in 1969, when it was first awarded to Devika Rani. The award is presented in memory of Dadasaheb Phalke, who directed the film Raja Harishchandra in 1913. Recipients are honoured for their outstanding contributions to the growth and progress of Indian cinema.
Recipients of this highest award in the field of cinema are honoured for their ‘outstanding contribution to the growth and promotion of Indian cinema.’ The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹10 lakh.
