Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 by President Droupadi Murmu at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on Tuesday, 22 September 2026. The President praised his career spanning more than five decades, describing his acting as 'a synthesis of the finest dimensions of theatre and cinema.'

President Murmu's tribute

President Murmu said she was 'very pleased' to bestow upon Nag the highest honour in Indian cinema, noting that she had previously conferred the Padma Bhushan on him the year before. 'Serious students of cinema consider his acting natural, restrained and authentic,' she said, adding that his contribution had established him as an example for artists of future generations.

Murmu recalled Nag's early theatrical roots, noting that he had joined the company of prominent theatre personalities at a very young age. 'In his first play, he portrayed Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and in his second play, he played Gautam Buddha,' she observed.

A career spanning five decades and 300 films

Born in Mumbai on 4 September 1948, with family roots in Karnataka's Uttara Kannada district, Nag made his film debut in 1973 with a Kannada production. Over a career of more than 50 years, he has appeared in over 300 films across Kannada, Hindi, and other South Indian languages, alongside substantial work in theatre and television.

Known for his naturalistic portrayals of the 'ordinary man,' Nag carved a distinct niche in Indian cinema that set him apart from the action- and dance-driven narratives that dominated the era. His versatility earned him the informal title of 'evergreen hero.' His artistic journey was shaped early by English plays and by noted directors including Satyadev Dubey, Girish Karnad, and Amol Palekar.

A historic double distinction

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award — announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 16 September — recognised Nag's 'outstanding and invaluable contribution' to the growth and development of Indian cinema. With this honour, the 78-year-old actor becomes only the second Kannada actor after the late Dr Rajkumar to have received both the Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Among his other accolades are five Filmfare Awards, five Karnataka State Best Actor Awards, and the Karnataka State Lifetime Achievement Award.

A landmark ceremony outside New Delhi

The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony was held outside New Delhi for the first time in the awards' history, with Ekta Nagar near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat chosen as the venue. President Murmu linked the location to India's cultural and national unity, and asked all award recipients to convey her appreciation to the full teams behind their films — noting that 'many people contribute to the making of a film.'

Other major honours at the ceremony included Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan jointly winning the Best Actor award, Yami Gautam taking home Best Actress, and Randeep Hooda receiving the Best Debut Film of a Director award. The National Film Awards have been instituted since 1954 and this edition covers films certified during 2024.

With the Dadasaheb Phalke Award now added to his legacy, Anant Nag's standing in Indian cinema is formally elevated to its highest tier — and the spotlight now turns to which of his contemporaries might be next in line for this rare dual recognition.