Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag, who has been chosen for the 2024 Dadasaheb Phalke Award, has spoken about the changing process of selecting recipients for national honours.
In an interview with PTI Videos, the actor said award selection had earlier faced criticism over allegations of favouritism and nepotism. He said the introduction of public recommendations for awards brought greater participation into the process.
Anant Nag Expresses Gratitude for National Honour
Anant Nag said he was surprised to receive the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award and said he had never worked with the expectation of receiving major honours.
The actor thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for announcing the award and dedicated the recognition to the people of Karnataka.
Nag said he was still processing the significance of receiving one of Indian cinema’s highest recognitions after five decades in the industry.
What Anant Nag Said About Public Recommendations
While discussing how awards are selected, Nag pointed to the system of inviting recommendations from the public for the Padma Awards.
He said people were encouraged to suggest names they believed deserved recognition. According to Nag, this allowed members of the public to play a more visible role in the nomination process.
The actor said people from Karnataka recommended his name, which he believes contributed to his recognition.
A Career Spanning More Than 50 Years
Anant Nag began his film career in the 1970s and has appeared in more than 270 movies during his long career.
Before entering mainstream cinema, he spent several years working in theatre in Mumbai. He performed in Konkani, Hindi and Marathi productions and was associated with several influential theatre personalities.
His early theatre experience helped shape his approach to acting before he made his Kannada film debut with Sankalpa in 1973.
Nag subsequently became associated with India’s parallel cinema movement and appeared in films across Kannada and Hindi cinema.
Anant Nag’s Popular Films and TV Work
Over the years, Nag has appeared in several well-known Kannada films, including Bayalu Daari, Na Ninna Bidalaare, Gauri Ganesha, Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu and KGF Chapter-1.
His Hindi film work includes titles such as Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, Bhumika, Kondura, Kalyug and Gehrayee.
He also became familiar to television audiences through Malgudi Days, the popular Doordarshan series based on R K Narayan’s stories. The series was directed by his brother, filmmaker Shankar Nag.
Advice for the Next Generation
Asked about his message to young people entering the entertainment industry, Anant Nag stressed the importance of dedication and hard work.
He said those looking to establish themselves in cinema need to work seriously and understand what audiences expect from entertainment.
The actor also said he does not maintain a conventional fan association, but appreciates the people who have supported his work throughout his career.
Anant Nag’s Public Life Beyond Cinema
Anant Nag has also had a stint in politics and public administration. He served as Bengaluru Development Minister during the tenure of the J H Patel government in Karnataka.
He has previously discussed his connection with the JP movement. In the 2004 Karnataka Assembly election, Nag contested from the Chamarajpet constituency in Bengaluru as a Janata Dal (Secular) candidate but did not win.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award Ceremony on September 22
Anant Nag is expected to receive the 2024 Dadasaheb Phalke Award during the National Film Awards ceremony scheduled to take place in Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22, 2026.
The award is being presented as part of the delayed schedule for the National Film Awards. Malayalam actor Mohanlal was the previous recipient.
Established in 1969, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award recognises outstanding and sustained contributions to Indian cinema. It is named after filmmaker Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, whose 1913 film Raja Harishchandra is widely recognised as India’s first full-length feature film.
