Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 from President Droupadi Murmu at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on Tuesday.
The award acknowledges his contribution to Indian cinema over a career spanning more than five decades.
President Murmu said she was ‘very pleased’ to present Nag with Indian cinema’s highest honour and recalled conferring the Padma Bhushan on him last year.
“His acting in films presents a synthesis of the finest dimensions of theatre and cinema,” the President said. She added that serious students of cinema regard his performances as “natural, restrained and authentic”.
President Murmu said Nag’s body of work had created an enduring example for upcoming generations of artists.
Nag started his artistic journey in theatre before entering the film industry in the early 1970s. His career has included more than 300 films across Kannada, Hindi and other South Indian languages.
The actor also built a substantial body of work in theatre and television. The Centre announced the Dadasaheb Phalke Award on September 16, citing his “outstanding and invaluable contribution” to Indian cinema.
From Theatre to Indian Cinema
President Murmu recalled Nag’s early theatre work and noted that he joined a leading theatre company at a young age.
“In his first play, he portrayed Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and in his second play, he played Gautam Buddha,” she said.
Nag’s recognition followed his Padma Bhushan, making him the second Kannada actor after Dr Rajkumar to receive both honours.
The 72nd National Film Awards marked the first time the ceremony was held outside New Delhi, with Ekta Nagar hosting the event.
President Murmu also highlighted the collective effort behind filmmaking and asked award winners to acknowledge everyone who contributed to their productions.
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