The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has announced that veteran actor Anant Nag will receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024. This is India’s highest honour in cinema, given to those who have made outstanding contributions to Indian film. The award will be presented to him at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony scheduled for 22 September 2026 at Kevadia in Gujarat.
The Award and the Honouree
Anant Nag, born on 4 September 1948 in Karnataka, has worked as an actor for over five decades. He has appeared in more than 300 films across Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil and Marathi cinema. His career began with the Kannada film Sankalp and the Hindi film Ankur. He is widely recognised for the television series Malgudi Days.
Throughout his career, Nag has won five Filmfare Awards and five Karnataka State Best Actor Awards. He has also been honoured with the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award, and the Karnataka State Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2025, he received the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India. Beyond film, he 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, where he held the position of Minister of State for Bangalore City Development.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award was created in 1969 to honour contributions to Indian cinema. It takes its name from Dadasaheb Phalke, who directed Raja Harishchandra, India’s first full-length feature film in 1913. The award includes a Swarna Kamal medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh.
What this means for you
This recognition highlights the importance placed on artistic achievement in Indian cinema over a sustained period. If you are studying Indian film history or cultural contributions, Anant Nag’s career and this award demonstrate the standards by which the nation honours lifetime achievement in the arts. The ceremony in September 2026 will be a significant event in the Indian film calendar.