Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag has been selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2026, marking a major recognition for Kannada cinema. He becomes the second Kannada film personality to receive the country’s highest honour in cinema after legendary actor Dr. Rajkumar, who was honoured in 1995.
The announcement was made on September 16, 2026. Anant Nag is scheduled to receive the award at the 72nd National Film Awards Ceremony on September 22 in Kevadia, Gujarat.
Anant Nag has had a long and influential career in Indian cinema, particularly in Kannada films. His body of work spans several decades and includes films across different genres and generations of Kannada filmmaking.
The recognition comes a year after he was conferred the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honours. He has also received five Karnataka State Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement honour.
While Anant Nag is the second Kannada actor to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, another noted personality from Karnataka, cinematographer V. K. Murthy, received the honour in 2008. However, Murthy was recognised primarily for his contribution to Hindi cinema.
The 2026 award therefore holds particular significance for Kannada cinema, acknowledging Anant Nag’s decades-long contribution to the industry and his place among its most enduring performers.
