Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Kannada film artist Anant Nag

Why in News? 

Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag has been selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024, to be presented at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony in 2026. 

About Dadasaheb Phalke Award:

• Status: India’s highest honour in cinema, recognising lifetime contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.
• Instituted: 1969, by the Government of India, in honour of Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly called the Father of Indian Cinema.
• Presentation: Conferred by the President of India at the National Film Awards ceremony, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• Selection: Based on recommendations of a committee of eminent film personalities; not restricted to actors.
• First recipient: Devika Rani (1969).
• Award components: Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, shawl and ₹15 lakh.

About Anant Nag: 

• Mr Nag has acted in more than 300 movies for over five decades in both mainstream and parallel cinema, with more than 250 of his performances being in Kannada.
• Received the Padma Bhushan in 2025.
• Becomes the second Kannada actor to receive the honour. 

Key Fact: 

• Dadasaheb Phalke directed Raja Harishchandra (1913), widely recognised as India’s first full-length indigenous feature film. It was a silent film.

Practice MCQ:

Q. With reference to the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, consider the following statements:

1. It was instituted in 1969, and Devika Rani was its first recipient.
2. It is restricted to actors for outstanding performance in a particular film.
3. It is presented as part of the National Film Awards ceremony.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b)

Explanation: Statement 2 is incorrect: the award recognises lifetime contribution to Indian cinema across cinematic professions, rather than performance in a single film. 

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