Anant Nag on being an 'accidental actor', from theatre to Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Fresh off his prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award recognition, veteran actor Anant Nag reflected on his decades-long career, describing himself as an "accidental actor" who carved a distinct niche through realistic performance. In an exclsuive interview with India Today senior journalist and news anchor Rajdeep Sardesai, the actor dismantled the notion of effortless acting, attributing his craft to keen observation and guidance from legendary mentors rather than formal training.
Reflecting on his stylistic choices, Nag shared that he consciously cultivated an understated, naturalistic approach to stand apart from the theatricality prevalent in early Indian cinema. "Growing up, the plays and cinema I saw leaned heavily into drama and over-dramatisation," Nag said. Having been exposed to English films alongside local theatre, he sought to strike a golden mean between contrasting performance styles.
Lacking the financial means to attend institutions like the National School of Drama (NSD) or a film institute, Nag placed his faith entirely in his directors. "I didn't set out to become an actor; that is why I call myself an accidental actor," he said, adding, "Whatever craft I learned came directly from my director gurus. My first responsibility was always to entertain. While elders often said cinema should educate and enlighten, my primary concentration was to provide entertainment and please the audience."
Nagβs entry into the performing arts was entirely unplanned. Raised in an ashram in coastal Karnataka, he moved to Mumbai at the age of 12. His early years were marked by personal hurdles, including failing his Class 10 examinations due to struggles with English, followed by a rejection from the Indian Army on physical grounds.
It was while contemplating a return home that a chance opportunity in theatre altered his trajectory. Over the next five years, Nag immersed himself in the Mumbai stage scene under the tutelage of actor-director Amol Palekar, performing in the landmark play Aadhe Adhure. Palekar introduced him to theatre stalwart Satyadev Dubey, who subsequently connected him with filmmaker Shyam Benegal, launching his cinematic career.
Alongside his performances in Girish Karnad's plays, Nag began balancing film assignments in Kannada and Hindi, constantly juggling work between Mumbai and Bengaluru before eventually making the Karnataka capital his permanent base.
Nag will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony for his contribution to Indian cinema. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated him on the achievement.
Known for his natural acting style, versatility, and subtle screen presence, Nag built a career spanning nearly five decades across mainstream and parallel cinema.
His television portrayal of various characters in RK Narayan's classic adaptation Malgudi Days, directed by his brother Shankar Nag, further cemented his reputation across domestic Indian audiences. Beyond acting, Nag has also served as a politician in Karnataka.The 78-year-old was also seen in KGF: Chapter 1 (2018), featuring actors Yash, Srinidhi Shetty and others in key roles. The Prashanth Neel directorial was produced by Vijay Kiragandur.In May 2025, Anant Nag also received the Padma Bhushan from President Droupadi Murmu.- EndsPublished By: Anurag BohraPublished On: Sep 18, 2026 23:16 ISTRead more | Anant Nag's Dadasaheb Phalke Award is more than an honour. It's a five-decade story
