31 Years after Dr Rajkumar, Anant Nag brings Dadasaheb Phalke Award to Kannada cinema

Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag has been honored with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest recognition for contributions to the film industry. The announcement was made on September 16, and the award ceremony will take place at the 72nd National Film Awards in Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22. This marks the second time a Kannada actor receives this honor, following Dr Rajkumar, who was awarded in 1995.

Anant Nag's career spans five decades and encompasses seven languages. Born in 1948 in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, Nag moved to Mumbai at the age of 11 to pursue further studies and his passion for theatre. He made his feature film debut in 1973 with two films, Sankalpa and Ankur, which introduced him to different audiences.

Over the years, Nag has acted in over 300 films across various languages, including Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Malayalam, and English. He is known for his roles in films such as Bayalu Daari, Ghana Mallaiah, and Mungaru Male. Anant Nag's work in parallel cinema, collaborations with renowned directors, and his ability to connect with both commercial and art-house audiences have earned him widespread acclaim.