Anant Nag gets Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Anupam Kher says 'inspired by his dedication'
Synopsis
Anupam Kher, himself a two-time National Award winner, called Anant Nag an inspiration after the Kannada screen legend received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award — Indian cinema's highest honour — at the 72nd National Film Awards. The tribute from one celebrated actor to another underscores the cross-industry reverence Anant Nag commands after five decades on screen.
Key Takeaways
Anant Nag , 78 , received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 at the 72nd National Film Awards on 22 September .
The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat .
Anupam Kher shared a congratulatory video on Instagram , calling Nag's acting 'honest, truthful and influential' .
Kher, himself a two-time National Award recipient , said he could personally understand 'the joy and emotions' of the honour.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest recognition for lifetime contribution to cinema.
Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher on 23 September 2026 congratulated acclaimed Kannada screen legend Anant Nag after the 78-year-old actor was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award — Indian cinema's highest honour — at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony held in Ekta Nagar (formerly Kevadia), Gujarat on 22 September. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu.
Kher's Tribute on Social Media
Taking to Instagram, Kher shared a heartfelt video message extending congratulations to all artists, directors, writers, and technicians honoured at this year's National Film Awards. He reserved particular praise for Anant Nag, writing: "Heartiest congratulations to all the artists and technicians who have been honored with the National Film Awards! Having received this prestigious honour twice, I can truly understand both the joy and the emotions of that priceless moment."
Kher added in the post: "My special congratulations to the legendary actor Shri Anant Nag ji, who has been honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. I have always been an admirer of his natural and sincere acting. Today, I wholeheartedly share in the happiness of all the winners. It is a proud day! Long live the glory of Indian cinema! Jai Hind!"
What Kher Said in the Video
In the accompanying video, Kher — known for acclaimed performances in films such as 'Special 26' and 'Tanvi the Great' — described Anant Nag's body of work as marked by "honest, truthful and influential acting," saying he had personally watched many of the veteran's films over the years.
He emphasised the collective nature of cinema, stating: "This honour is dedicated to his extraordinary journey and contribution to Indian cinema. Cinema is a collective art. I have always been inspired by everyone's dedication, talent and hard work, from the actors on screen to the technicians working behind the scenes." He closed with a rousing "Jai Ho! Jai Hind!"
About the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is presented annually by the Government of India and is considered the pinnacle of recognition for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. Named after the father of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke, the award carries a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash component. Anant Nag receives the honour for 2024, recognising a career spanning over five decades in Kannada, Hindi, and other regional-language films.
The 72nd National Film Awards Ceremony
The 72nd National Film Awards were presented on 22 September at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, honouring the best of Indian cinema from the year 2024. The ceremony saw a wide cross-section of Indian film talent recognised, spanning acting, direction, writing, and technical crafts. Notably, this edition drew considerable public attention given the calibre of recipients across languages.
Point of View
Yet he remained relatively underrepresented in national awards conversations during his prime. That a pan-India star of Kher's stature frames the honour in personal, almost reverential terms signals how the Hindi film establishment views this recognition. The real story is whether moments like this nudge award bodies toward earlier acknowledgement of regional-language luminaries, rather than career-closing tributes.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Anant Nag and why did he receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award?
Anant Nag is a celebrated 78-year-old Kannada actor with a career spanning over five decades across Kannada, Hindi, and other Indian-language films. He received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 in recognition of his extraordinary lifetime contribution to Indian cinema, with the honour presented by President Droupadi Murmu at the 72nd National Film Awards.
What is the Dadasaheb Phalke Award?
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest honour conferred by the Government of India in the field of cinema, recognising lifetime contribution to Indian films. It is named after Dadasaheb Phalke, widely regarded as the father of Indian cinema, and includes a Swarna Kamal medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize.
Where was the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony held?
The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony was held on 22 September at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, formerly known as Kevadia. President Droupadi Murmu presided over the function and presented the awards.
What did Anupam Kher say about Anant Nag?
Anupam Kher praised Anant Nag's 'honest, truthful and influential acting' in a video shared on Instagram, adding that the honour was 'dedicated to his extraordinary journey and contribution to Indian cinema.' Kher, a two-time National Award winner himself, said he was personally inspired by Nag's dedication and talent.
Has Anupam Kher himself won a National Film Award?
Yes, Anupam Kher has received the National Film Award on two occasions. In his congratulatory message, he noted that having won the honour twice, he could personally understand 'both the joy and the emotions of that priceless moment.'
