Bengaluru, September 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag, who has been selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 for his contribution to Indian cinema, has recalled the role of his gurus and journalist friends in shaping his five-decade journey in Karnataka. The award will be presented at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22.
Speaking about his early years in Karnataka, Nag said he remembered all his gurus when he entered the film industry. He said his decision to move to Karnataka was influenced by the growing number of new-wave and unconventional films being made in the state.
Nag also recalled the support he received from journalists after settling in Bengaluru. He said his circle of friends largely comprised members of the press and people from television, as he had neither completed his schooling nor college education in the city.
“I was never a member of any club, but I was a regular at the Press Club, thanks to the journalists of our region,” he said.
According to Nag, his journalist friends not only supported his career but also offered candid feedback and corrected him whenever they felt he was going beyond the right path. He described those relationships and experiences as an integral part of his 50-year association with Karnataka.
His wife, actress Gayathri Anant Nag, recalled that the actor initially believed the news of the prestigious award was “fake news”. She said a journalist first called her with the information, which she then shared with Nag.
“He said, ‘This must be some fake news’, and went back to sleep,” Gayathri recalled. She said he later woke up after the official announcement and press release began circulating on WhatsApp, following which congratulatory calls started pouring in.
Gayathri said she was extremely proud of her husband, particularly because he had created his own distinctive path rather than following established trends.
Born in 1948, Anant Nag has acted in more than 300 films across Kannada, Hindi, Konkani, Marathi and Telugu cinema. He entered theatre during Mumbai and Maharashtra’s modern theatre movement and worked with artistes including Amol Palekar.
Nag emerged as a prominent figure in new-wave cinema, working with filmmakers and artistes such as Shyam Benegal, Amol Palekar and Shabana Azmi. His Hindi debut, Ankur, won three National Film Awards.
He has also worked as a producer and entrepreneur and entered politics, serving as an MLC and Bengaluru Development Minister. Despite his long career, he continues to remain active and regularly listens to new film scripts.
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