Anant Nag Receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Calls Karnataka His Karmabhoomi

Veteran actor Anant Nag was presented the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the country's highest honour in cinema, at a ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat. The award recognises a cinematic journey spanning more than five decades.

A tribute video celebrating his contribution to Indian cinema was screened before the announcement. As Nag walked to the stage, the auditorium rose in a standing ovation, with fellow awardees and actors including Mammootty, Dhanush, Sanjay Mishra, Yami Gautam, Aditya Dhar and Kartik Aaryan among those applauding.

Addressing an audience of actors, filmmakers and other leading figures from the industry, Nag looked back on a career that began with theatre in Mumbai at the age of 12. He said he had grown up in an ashram until that age before being sent to the city, where a chance role in a play set him on his path.

"It's a great honour to be here with you, and I am trying to digest the majesty of this function," he said, adding that he had attended few such gatherings but was happy to be among those present.

Nag described his early years in theatre as a training ground. In five years he acted in about 50 plays, after which he was offered roles in cinema, first in Kannada and then in Hindi with Shyam Benegal and others. He noted that although he acted in many Hindi films, Karnataka offered a vibrant atmosphere for new-age and commercial cinema, prompting his move to Bangalore.

"This great country has been my janmabhoomi, Karnataka my karmabhoomi and Bharat my dharmabhoomi," he said in conclusion, thanking the people of India.

He dedicated the honour to the many people who worked with him over 50 to 55 years, including directors, producers, costume and makeup artists, assistant directors and dialogue writers, as well as the audiences who embraced his characters.

Born on September 4, 1948, in Karnataka, Nag made his acting debut in the Kannada feature film Sankalp and his Hindi debut in Ankur. He has portrayed a wide range of characters in more than 300 films across Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil and Marathi cinema, with notable work including Malgudi Days.

His accolades include five Filmfare Awards and five Karnataka State Best Actor Awards, along with the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award and the Karnataka State Lifetime Achievement Award. He also holds an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University (North) and was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2025. In 2023, he marked the golden jubilee of his 50-year career.

Beyond cinema, Nag 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 which he held office as Minister of State for Bangalore City Development.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award was instituted in 1969, when it was first presented to Devika Rani, to commemorate the contribution of Dadasaheb Phalke, who directed India's first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1913. Recipients are recognised for their outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema. The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh.