Anant Nag says PM Modi's praise felt like two Dadasaheb Phalke awards

Anant Nag said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's praise made his Dadasaheb Phalke honour feel even more special. He also described the award as a moment of pride for Karnataka and recalled late superstar Rajkumar as a guiding influence.

In Short

• The award will be presented at the National Film Awards in Kevadia
• Nag called the honour a jewel in Karnataka's cinematic crown
• He said Rajkumar shaped Kannada cinema beyond acting through creative mentorship

Veteran actor Anant Nag has been named the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema. Speaking to India Today, Nag opened up about the recognition and recalled how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s praise for his contribution to cinema felt “as good as getting two Dadasaheb Phalke awards”.

The award will be presented at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22. The government said the honour recognises Nag’s contribution to Indian cinema and his career spanning more than five decades.

Anant Nag on PM Modi's message

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nag after the announcement, describing his performances as effortless and praising his versatility and contribution to Kannada cinema.

Speaking to India Today, Nag said the Prime Minister's message made the honour feel even more special.

“I feel doubly honoured. This is as good as getting two Phalke awards when the Prime Minister himself tweets and says such things,” he said.

Nag said he first came to know about the award through the PM's announcement.

He also spoke about PM Modi’s political journey, saying he considered his long tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat followed by his years as Prime Minister unusual and praised him.

For Nag, the award is also a recognition of Karnataka’s contribution to Indian cinema. He recalled that Rajkumar, whom he considers a role model, received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1995.

“I feel this award is like a jewel in the crown of Karnataka. It was given to Dr Rajkumar in 1995. He also placed the same thing on the crown of Karnataka. I am doing the same thing,” Nag told India Today.

Nag on Kannada superstar Rajkumar

Nag has often spoken about the late Rajkumar’s influence on Kannada cinema. He said the veteran actor was more than a performer and played an important role in shaping the industry.

“Dr Rajkumar has been a kind of guide to us. He always thought about how to make films, how to entertain people and how to provide variety to the audience,” Nag said.

Rajkumar began his career in theatre and had skills in singing, but chose to work with different directors instead of directing films himself, Nag recalled. According to him, Rajkumar helped create opportunities for directors, writers and musicians.

“He created directors. He created writers. He created musicians. That is how he carried on for over five decades,” he said.

Nag also credited Rajkumar’s strong connection with audiences for his lasting popularity.

Rajkumar was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1995 for his contribution to Indian cinema.

'I feel proud'

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award comes more than three decades after Rajkumar became the first Kannada actor to receive the honour. Nag said he feels proud that the recognition has once again come to Karnataka.

“I feel proud. Rajkumar has been a guide to us,” he said.

Nag’s career began in Kannada cinema before he became one of the prominent faces of the parallel cinema movement in the 1970s. He worked with filmmaker Shyam Benegal in films including Ankur, Nishant and Bhumika. He later moved between art-house and mainstream cinema, while also becoming a familiar face on television through Malgudi Days.

His filmography also includes Kannada films such as Bayalu Daari, Kanneshwara Rama, Minchina Ota and Ganeshana Maduve. He was most recently seen in KGF: Chapter 1.

The actor's Dadasaheb Phalke Award comes shortly after he received the Padma Bhushan in 2025.

For an actor whose career has moved between parallel cinema, mainstream films and television, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award marks another major recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema.

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