The 72nd National Film Awards witnessed a particularly emotional moment as veteran actor Anant Nag received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024. The honour recognises his contribution to Indian cinema across a career spanning more than five decades, during which he has worked across Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Marathi cinema.
As Anant Nag’s name was announced and he walked up to receive the honour from President Droupadi Murmu, the gathering responded with a standing ovation. It became one of the memorable moments of the ceremony, celebrating an actor whose career has extended far beyond any single film, language or kind of role.
The moment became even more special with an audio-visual presentation showcasing Anant Nag’s remarkable journey. The AV looked back at his diverse body of work, taking the audience through different phases of his career and highlighting the variety of characters he has portrayed over the years. His association with films such as Ankur and his memorable presence in Malgudi Days were among the highlights of a career that has crossed 300 films.
The presentation also highlighted the many honours that have come his way over the years. Anant Nag has received multiple Karnataka State Film Awards and Filmfare honours, along with the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, Karnataka State Lifetime Achievement Award and an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University (North). He was also honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2025.
What stood out through the AV was the sheer diversity of Anant Nag’s journey. From parallel cinema and mainstream films to television, he has continued to take on different kinds of characters across generations. Malgudi Days, in particular, remains an important part of his popular legacy, while his work with filmmakers across different eras established his reputation as one of Indian cinema’s versatile performers.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award now adds another major recognition to that long list. For Anant Nag, the honour was not simply about one performance or one film. It celebrated a lifetime spent contributing to Indian cinema, and the standing ovation at the ceremony reflected the affection and respect surrounding that journey.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the award at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, where the 72nd National Film Awards were held for the first time outside New Delhi.