New Delhi, India – Legendary actor Anant Nag, known for his impressive work in Hindi and Kannada cinema in movies such as Minchina Ota, Hamsageethe, Ankur, and Manthan, will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024, the government announced on Wednesday. With a filmography of more than 250 films over five decades, the 78-year-old is also a renowned name in the theatre world. He will be given the award, the highest recognition in Indian cinema, at the National Film Awards ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the veteran actor, saying, “For several decades, his effortless performances, remarkable versatility and brilliance have left a very strong mark on Indian cinema, particularly Kannada cinema. In whichever role he has played, he brought rare depth and authenticity.” The Press Information Bureau said the award recognises “his contribution to Indian cinema and an illustrious cinematic journey that has inspired generations.” Last year, the recipient of the award was Malayalam cinema star Mohanlal, and this year’s award is being given for 2024 because of a delay in schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Nag, who also dabbled in politics and served as a minister in Karnataka, grew up in Bhatkal in coastal Karnataka and was sent to Mumbai for higher education. There, he became drawn to the theatre movement, doing plays in Konkani, Hindi, and Marathi for five years, where he met and was influenced by people like Satyadev Dubey, Girish Karnad, and Amol Palekar. He made his cinema debut with the 1973 Kannada movie Sankalpa and became an integral part of parallel cinema in the 1970s and 1980s.
Must Read: Nrityakosh’s ‘To Burn to Bloom’ Celebrates the Legacy of Umm Kulthum, the ‘Voice of Egypt’
He was part of the popular Doordarshan serial Malgudi Days, directed by his filmmaker brother Shankar Nag. Mr. Dubey introduced him to Shyam Benegal, beginning a collaboration through six classic films: Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, Bhumika, Kondura, and Kalyug. His portrayal in Hamsageethe in 1975 won him the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada. Last year, Mr. Nag was honoured with the Padma Bhushan.
