# Veteran actor Anant Nag wins Dadasaheb Phalke Award

2026-09-16T18:56:41+00:00 | Entertainment | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag has been named the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024, the highest honour in Indian cinema. The 72-year-old actor, who has acted in over 300 films across Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam, said he was caught off guard by the announcement. 'I felt normal, was breathing, was alive,' he told reporters, adding that the Padma Bhushan he received earlier had somewhat prepared him for this honour. Anant Nag is only the second Kannada actor after the legendary Dr Rajkumar to win the award. He dedicated the honour to Kannadigas and thanked his theatre mentors, directors, producers and co-stars. Filmmaker Rishab Shetty, who directed him in 'Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shale, Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai', called him one of the top ten actors in Indian cinema history. Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy also congratulated the actor.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All four sources deliver straight reporting on Anant Nag's Dadasaheb Phalke Award, with no discernible editorial slant. The Hindu and Cinema Express profiles focus on his craft and humility, while Onmanorama leads with his 1987 Malayalam film role and political congratulatory messages. The uniform framing reflects a consensus on the award's significance to Kannada cinema. The actor's next public appearance will likely be the award ceremony, date yet to be announced by the government.

## Coverage

- cinemaexpress.com (neutral report) <https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2026/Sep/16/i-dedicate-this-honour-to-kannadigas-anant-nag-on-winning-the-dadasaheb-phalke-award>
  Quotes filmmaker's praise without editorialising
- cinemaexpress.com (neutral report) <https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2026/Sep/16/anant-nag-sir-belongs-in-indian-cinemas-top-10-rishab-shetty-celebrates-veteran-actors-dadasaheb-phalke-honour>
  Quotes filmmaker's praise without editorialising
- thehindu.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/from-sombre-to-comic-the-infinite-range-of-anant-nag/article71473964.ece>
  Profile piece focusing on career and craft
- onmanorama.com (neutral report) <https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2026/09/16/anant-nag-malayalam-film-swathi-thirunal-movie.html>
  Leads with Malayalam cinema link and political congratulations

Tags: Anant Nag, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Dr Rajkumar, Kannada cinema, Rishab Shetty
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