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{{short description|Actor and politician from Karnataka}}
{{short description|Indian actor and politician (born 1948)}}
{{about|the film actor|the Tamil film actor|Ananth Nag (Tamil actor)|the Kashmir city|Anantnag}}
{{distinguish|text=[[Anantnag]], a city in Jammu and Kashmir}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
 
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name         = Anant Nag
| name         = Anant Nag
| image         = Anantnag actor.jpg
| image       = Padma_Bhushan_Shri_Anant_Nag.jpg
| caption       = Nag in 2016
| caption     = Nag in 2025
| birth_name    = Anant Nagarakatte
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1948|9|4}}
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1948|9|4}}
| birth_place = [[Shirali]], [[Mysore State]], [[Dominion of India]]<br>(present-day [[Karnataka]], India)
| birth_place   = [[Bombay]], [[Bombay State]], [[Dominion of India]] (present-day [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]])
| occupation   = {{hlist|Actor|politician}}
| occupation   = [[Actor]]
| years_active = 1973–present
| years_active = 1973 - present
| works        = [[Anant Nag filmography|Full list]]
| nationality  = Indian
| spouse       = {{marriage|[[Gayatri (actress)|Gayatri]]|1987}}
| spouse       = {{marriage|[[Gayatri (actress)|Gayatri]]|1987}}
| family       = [[Shankar Nag]] (brother) <br /> [[Arundathi Nag]] (sister-in-law)
| family       = [[Shankar Nag]] (brother) <br /> [[Arundathi Nag]] (sister-in-law)
| awards      = [[Padma Bhushan]] (2025)<br/>[[Rajyotsava Award]] (2007)
| children      = Aditi
| party        = [[Janata Dal (Secular)]]
}}
}}


'''Anant Nagarkatte''' (born 4 September 1948), better known as '''Anant Nag''', is an [[Indian people|Indian]] actor whose predominant contribution has been in [[Cinema of Karnataka|Kannada cinema]].<ref name="versatile">{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/233424/versatile-veteran.html|title=Versatile Veteran|publisher=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=10 March 2012}}</ref> He has acted in over 300 titles which includes over 200 Kannada films and [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Hindi language|Hindi]] films.<ref name="Nag">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontline.in/arts-and-culture/cinema/films-were-bolder-in-the-past/article5184996.ece|title=Films were bolder in the past|date=October 2013|publisher=Frontline|accessdate=5 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="Water">{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/851850/an-actor-should-be-like-water-ego-less-an-interview-with-kannada-icon-anant-nag|title=‘An actor should be like water, ego-less’:An interview with Kannada icon Anant Nag|publisher=Scroll|date=8 October 2017}} </ref> He has featured in [[theatre|theatre plays]], [[parallel cinema]]<ref name="Water" /> and [[television show|television shows]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/anant-nag-returns-to-small-screen/article4900193.ece|title=Anant Nag returns to small screen|publisher=The Hindu|date=10 July 2013}}</ref> He is considered to be a versatile artist in Kannada cinema.<ref name="versatile" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/sandalwood/070916/a-brilliant-nagotiator.html|title=A brilliant ‘NAG’otiator|publisher=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=7 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="supporting">{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/an-ode-to-the-supporting-actor-826628.html|title=An ode to the supporting actor|publisher=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=17 April 2020}}</ref>  
'''Anant Nagarkatte'''<!-- IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE THAT NAG IS SHORT FOR NAGARAKATTE, NO NEED TO MENTION THAT SEPARATELY --> (born 4 September 1948) is an Indian actor whose predominant contribution has been in [[Cinema of Karnataka|Kannada cinema]].<ref name="versatile">{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/233424/versatile-veteran.html|title=Versatile Veteran|work=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=10 March 2012}}</ref> He has acted in over 300 films which include over 250 Kannada films and few films in [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Malayalam]] and [[English language|English]] languages.<ref name="Nag">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontline.in/arts-and-culture/cinema/films-were-bolder-in-the-past/article5184996.ece|title=Films were bolder in the past|date=October 2013|publisher=Frontline|access-date=5 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="Water">{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/851850/an-actor-should-be-like-water-ego-less-an-interview-with-kannada-icon-anant-nag|title='An actor should be like water, ego-less':An interview with Kannada icon Anant Nag|publisher=Scroll|date=8 October 2017}}</ref> He has featured in [[theatre|theatre plays]], [[parallel cinema]]<ref name="Water" /> and [[television show]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/anant-nag-returns-to-small-screen/article4900193.ece|title=Anant Nag returns to small screen|work=The Hindu|date=10 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="versatile" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/sandalwood/070916/a-brilliant-nagotiator.html|title=A brilliant 'NAG'otiator|work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=7 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="supporting">{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/an-ode-to-the-supporting-actor-826628.html|title=An ode to the supporting actor|work=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=17 April 2020}}</ref>
 
Nag made his feature film debut through ''Sankalpa'' (1973) directed by Prof. P.V Nanjaraj Urs. Sankalpa went on to win seven state awards in Karnataka. His foray into parallel cinema was through [[Shyam Benegal]]'s ''[[Ankur (film)|Ankur]]'' (1974).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/ankur-1974/article3927837.ece|title=Ankur (1974)|work=The Hindu|date=23 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/ht-brunch-cover-story-over-the-top-and-on-point-with-shyam-benegal/story-TnqUIfItpAGhf8Nl3c3dUJ.html|title=HT Brunch Cover Story: Over the top and on point with Shyam Benegal|work=Hindustan Times|date=11 October 2019}}</ref> His commercially successful Kannada films have been ''[[Bayalu Daari]]'' (1976), ''[[Kanneshwara Rama]]'' (1977), ''[[Naa Ninna Bidalaare]]'' (1979), ''[[Chandanada Gombe]]'' (1979), ''[[Benkiya Bale]]'' (1983), [[Hendthighelbedi|''Hendthige Helbedi'']] (1989), ''[[Ganeshana Maduve]]'' (1990), [[Gauri Ganesha|''Gowri Ganesha'']] (1991), ''[[Mungaru Male]]'' (2006), ''[[Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu]]'' (2016), ''[[Raajakumara]]'' (2017), ''[[Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai]]'' (2018), ''[[K.G.F: Chapter 1]]'' (2018), ''[[K.G.F: Chapter 2]]'' (2022) and ''[[Gaalipata 2]]'' (2022).<ref name="Water" />


Nag made his feature film debut through ''Sankalpa'' (1973). His foray into parallel cinema was through [[Shyam Benegal]]'s ''[[Ankur (film)|Ankur]]'' (1974).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/ankur-1974/article3927837.ece|title=Ankur (1974)|publisher=The Hindu|date=23 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/ht-brunch-cover-story-over-the-top-and-on-point-with-shyam-benegal/story-TnqUIfItpAGhf8Nl3c3dUJ.html|title=HT Brunch Cover Story: Over the top and on point with Shyam Benegal|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=11 October 2019}}</ref> His commercially successful Kannada movies have been [[Naa Ninna Bidalaare]] (1979), [[Chandanada Gombe]] (1979), [[Benkiya Bale]] (1983), [[Hendthighelbedi|Hendthige Helbedi]] (1989), [[Ganeshana Maduve]] (1990), [[Gauri Ganesha|Gowri Ganesha]] (1991), [[Mungaru Male|Mungaru Maley]] (2006) and [[Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu]] (2016).<ref name="Water" />
He acted in ''[[Malgudi Days (TV series)|Malgudi Days]]'', a [[Doordarshan]] aired<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/features/malgudi-days-to-karamchand-the-doordarshan-classics-that-deserve-a-lockdown-comeback/408984/|publisher=The Print|title=Malgudi Days to Karamchand – the Doordarshan classics that deserve a lockdown comeback|date=25 April 2020}}</ref> television series based on the stories of [[R. K. Narayan]]. He is a recipient of six [[Filmfare Awards South]] and five [[Karnataka State Film Awards]]. He is the elder brother of [[Film director|director]] and actor [[Shankar Nag]].


He acted in ''[[Malgudi Days (TV series)|Malgudi Days]]'', a [[Doordarshan]] aired<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/features/malgudi-days-to-karamchand-the-doordarshan-classics-that-deserve-a-lockdown-comeback/408984/|publisher=The Print|title=Malgudi Days to Karamchand – the Doordarshan classics that deserve a lockdown comeback|date=25 April 2020}} </ref> television series based on the stories of [[R. K. Narayan]]. He is a recipient of six [[Filmfare Awards South]] and five [[Karnataka State Film Awards]]. He was the elder brother of acclaimed director and actor [[Shankar Nag]].
Anant was awarded the [[Padma Bhushan]], India's third highest civilian award, in 2025 by the Government of India.<ref name="Padma Awards 2025">{{cite news|title=Padma Awards 2025|url=https://www.padmaawards.gov.in/Document/pdf/notifications/PadmaAwards/2025.pdf|accessdate=26 January 2025|work=|publisher=Ministry Of Home Affairs|date=25 January 2025|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126163202/https://www.padmaawards.gov.in/Document/pdf/notifications/PadmaAwards/2025.pdf|archivedate=26 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="IE_padmaShri">{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/balakrishna-ajith-shekhar-kapur-shobana-honoured-with-padman-bhushan-arijit-singh-ricky-kej-conferred-with-padma-shri-9799275/|title=Balakrishna, Ajith, Shekhar Kapur, Shobana honoured with Padman Bhushan, Arijit Singh, Ricky Kej conferred with Padma Shri |work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=25 January 2025 |date=25 January 2025}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Anant Nag was born in a [[Konkani language|Konkani]]-speaking family on 4 September 1948 to Anandi and Sadanand Nagarkatte in the Chowpatty suburb of [[Mumbai]].<ref name="birth">{{cite news |title= About real life and reel lives |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/About-real-life-and-reel-lives/articleshow/6765949.cms |newspaper= The Times of India |date= October 2010 |accessdate= 9 March 2014}}</ref> He has an elder sister, Shyamala and his younger brother was Shankar Nag.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/514668/a-stroll-down-memory-lane.html|title=A stroll down memory lane|publisher=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=30 November 2015}}</ref>
Anant Nag was born in a [[Konkani language|Konkani]]-speaking family on 4 September 1948 to Anandi and Sadanand Nagarkatte in [[Shirali]], [[Bhatkal]] taluk, [[Uttara Kannada district]], [[Karnataka]], where he spent most of his childhood.<ref name="birth">{{cite news |title= About real life and reel lives |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/About-real-life-and-reel-lives/articleshow/6765949.cms |newspaper= The Times of India|date= October 2010 |access-date= 9 March 2014}}</ref> He has an elder sister, Shyamala and his younger brother was [[Shankar Nag]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/514668/a-stroll-down-memory-lane.html|title=A stroll down memory lane|work=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=30 November 2015}}</ref>


Nag did his early schooling in a [[catholic school]] in Ajjarkad, [[Udupi district|Udupi]], Ananda Ashrama in [[Dakshina Kannada]] and [[Chitrapur Math]] in [[Uttara Kannada]] districts of the erstwhile [[Mysore State]] (now Karnataka).<ref>{{cite url|url=https://starofmysore.com/i-used-to-spin-charakha-daily-for-an-hour-at-ananda-ashram-anant-nag/|title=I used to spin charakha daily for an hour at Ananda Ashram: Anant Nag|publisher=Star of Mysore|date=15 February 2020}}</ref> In class 9th standard, he was sent to [[Mumbai]] for further study.<ref name="birth"/> He attempted to join the armed services but was rejected by the [[Indian Army|Army]] for being underweight and by the [[Indian Air Force|Air Force]] for poor eyesight.<ref name = "tougher">{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/sandalwood/040320/anant-nag-being-a-politician-is-tougher-than-acting-a-politician.html|title=Anant Nag: Being a politician is tougher than acting a politician|date=4 March 2020|publisher=Deccan Chronicle}} </ref> He was drawn towards the theatre movement of Mumbai and he was selected to act in Konkani, Kannada and Marathi-language plays which he did until he turned 22.<ref name="Nag" />
Nag did his early schooling in a [[Catholic school]] in Ajjarkad, [[Udupi district|Udupi]], Ananda Ashrama in [[Dakshina Kannada]] and [[Chitrapur Math]] in [[Uttara Kannada]] district of the erstwhile Mysore state (now Karnataka).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://starofmysore.com/i-used-to-spin-charakha-daily-for-an-hour-at-ananda-ashram-anant-nag/|title=I used to spin charakha daily for an hour at Ananda Ashram: Anant Nag|publisher=Star of Mysore|date=15 February 2020}}</ref> In class 9th standard, he was sent to [[Mumbai]] for further study.<ref name="birth"/> He attempted to join the armed services but was rejected by the [[Indian Army|Army]] for being underweight and by the [[Indian Air Force|Air Force]] for poor eyesight.<ref name = "tougher">{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/sandalwood/040320/anant-nag-being-a-politician-is-tougher-than-acting-a-politician.html|title=Anant Nag: Being a politician is tougher than acting a politician|date=4 March 2020|work=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> He was drawn towards the theatre movement of Mumbai and he was selected to act in Konkani, Kannada and Marathi-language plays which he did until he turned 22.<ref name="Nag" />


==Career==
==Career==


===Theatre===
===Theatre===
He began his career by three act Konkani plays. He went on to work in plays of [[Satyadev Dubey]], [[Girish Karnad]] and [[Amol Palekar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/i-was-influenced-by-english-cinema-and-absurd-plays-anant-nag/article30975399.ece|title=I was influenced by English cinema and absurd plays: Anant Nag |publisher=[[The Hindu]]|date=3 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/entertainment/%E2%80%98I-am-an-untrained-actor%E2%80%99/article14389915.ece|title=‘I am an untrained actor’|publisher=[[The Hindu]]|date=7 June 2016}}</ref> For a period of about five years, he acted in Konkani, Kannada, Marathi and Hindi plays.<ref name="Water" />
Anant Nag began his career with Kannada and Konkani plays in Mumbai. He went on to work in plays of [[Satyadev Dubey]], [[Girish Karnad]] and [[Amol Palekar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/i-was-influenced-by-english-cinema-and-absurd-plays-anant-nag/article30975399.ece|title=I was influenced by English cinema and absurd plays: Anant Nag |work=[[The Hindu]]|date=3 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/entertainment/%E2%80%98I-am-an-untrained-actor%E2%80%99/article14389915.ece|title=I am an untrained actor|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=7 June 2016}}</ref> For a period of about five years, he acted in [[Konkani language|Konkani]], Kannada, Marathi and Hindi plays.<ref name="Water" />


===Film and Television===
===Film and television===
Following a theatre career in Mumbai, Nag made his film debut with ''Sankalpa'', a 1973 Kannada film. Nag then grew to become a core part of parallel cinema, which was at its peak in the 1970s and ’80s.<ref name="Water" /> Being introduced to director [[Shyam Benegal]] by theatre director Satyadev Dubey,<ref name="Water" /> he starred in six of Benegal’s films: Ankur(1974), [[Nishant (film)|Nishant]] (1975), [[Manthan]] (1976), [[Bhumika (film)|Bhumika]] (1978), [[Kondura]] (1978) and [[Kalyug (1981 film)|Kalyug]] (1981).
Following a theatre career in Mumbai, Nag made his film debut with ''Sankalpa'', a 1973 Kannada film. He then grew to become a core part of parallel cinema, which was at its peak in the 1970s and 1980s.<ref name="Water" /> Being introduced to director [[Shyam Benegal]] by theatre director Satyadev Dubey,<ref name="Water" /> he starred in six of Benegal's films: ''[[Ankur (film)|Ankur]]'' (1974), ''[[Nishant (film)|Nishant]]'' (1975), ''[[Manthan]]'' (1976), ''[[Bhumika (film)|Bhumika]]'' (1978), ''[[Kondura]]'' (1978) and ''[[Kalyug (1981 film)|Kalyug]]'' (1981).


His arrival into Kannada movies was through [[G. V. Iyer]]'s [[Hamsageethe]] (1975). Anant Nag plays the role of a disciple of [[carnatic music|carnatic]] singing. The film went on to win the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada]].<ref name="iffi">{{cite web |title= 23rd National Film Awards |url= http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm23rdNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=23NFA.pdf |website= iffi.nic.in |accessdate= 9 March 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110526091043/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm23rdNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=23NFA.pdf |archive-date= 26 May 2011 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
Nag's arrival into Kannada films was through [[G. V. Iyer]]'s ''[[Hamsageethe]]'' (1975), in which he played the role of a disciple of [[carnatic music|carnatic]] singing. The film went on to win the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada]].<ref name="iffi">{{cite web |title= 23rd National Film Awards |url= http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm23rdNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=23NFA.pdf |website= iffi.nic.in |access-date= 9 March 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110526091043/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm23rdNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=23NFA.pdf |archive-date= 26 May 2011 |url-status= dead }}</ref>


Anant Nag acted in 13 episodes of the television series, Malgudi days which were based on the stories by R. K. Narayan and directed by his brother Shankar Nag.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/how-shankar-nags-malgudi-days-came-to-life-835811.html|title=How Shankar Nag's Malgudi Days came to life|publisher=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=10 May 2020}}</ref>
Nag appeared in thirteen episodes of the television series, ''[[Malgudi Days (TV series)|Malgudi Days]]'', an adaptation of [[R. K. Narayan]]'s [[Malgudi Days (short story collection)|short stories of the same name]], directed by his brother Shankar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/how-shankar-nags-malgudi-days-came-to-life-835811.html|title=How Shankar Nag's Malgudi Days came to life|work=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=10 May 2020}}</ref>


His portrayal of an [[Alzheimer|Alzheimer's]] patient in Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu (2016) has received critical acclaim and contributed to making this experimental movie, a commercial success.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/Godhi-Banna-Sadharana-Mykattu-Out-to-steal-your-heart/article14382559.ece|publisher=The Hindu|title=Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu: Out to steal your heart|date=3 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/reviews/movie-review-godhi-banna-sadharana-maikattu-13709.html|publisher=Filmfare|title=Movie Review: Godhi Banna Sadharana Maikattu|date=6 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/Four-Kannada-experiments-run-to-packed-houses/article14411491.ece|publisher=The Hindu|title=Four Kannada experiments run to packed houses|date=8 June 2016}}</ref>
Nag's portrayal of an [[Alzheimer|Alzheimer's]] patient in ''[[Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu]]'' (2016) has received critical acclaim and contributed to making this experimental film, a commercial success.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/Godhi-Banna-Sadharana-Mykattu-Out-to-steal-your-heart/article14382559.ece|work=The Hindu|title=Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu: Out to steal your heart|date=3 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/reviews/movie-review-godhi-banna-sadharana-maikattu-13709.html|publisher=Filmfare|title=Movie Review: Godhi Banna Sadharana Maikattu|date=6 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/Four-Kannada-experiments-run-to-packed-houses/article14411491.ece|work=The Hindu|title=Four Kannada experiments run to packed houses|date=8 June 2016}}</ref> In the comedy-drama ''[[Gaalipata 2]]'' (2022), he played Kishore, a Kannada-language professor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kannada industry has looked after me very well: Anant Nag |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2022/aug/18/kannada-industry-has-looked-after-me-very-well-anant-nag-2488535.html |website=The New Indian Express |access-date=20 August 2022 |date=18 August 2022}}</ref> Muralidhara Khajane of ''[[The Hindu]]'' felt his "fantastic portrayal as a teacher and Ganesh's sentimental turn are the hallmarks of this film".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Khajane |first1=Muralidhara |title=‘Gaalipata 2’ movie review: An entertaining and emotional tale of friendship |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/gaalipata-2-movie-review-an-entertaining-and-emotional-tale-of-friendship/article65761565.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=20 August 2022 |language=en-IN |date=12 August 2022}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Nag married [[Gayatri (actress)|Gayatri]] on 9 April 1987.<ref name="birth" /> They have a daughter, Aditi.
Nag married [[Gayatri (actress)|Gayatri]] on 9 April 1987.<ref name="birth" />


==Political career==
==Political career==
He was a MLC, MLA and a minister in [[J. H. Patel]] government.<ref name="tougher" />  
Nag was an MLC, [[MLA]] and a minister in the [[J. H. Patel]] government. He served as Bangalore Urban Development minister.<ref name="tougher" />  
In 2004, he unsuccessfully contested the Chamarajpet constituency, [[Bangalore]] [[Deliberative assembly|assembly]] election from [[Janata Dal (Secular)]]. He was pitched against then [[Chief minister]] of Karnataka, [[S. M. Krishna]] from [[Indian National Congress]] and fellow actor [[Mukhyamantri Chandru]] from [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref>http://www.elections.in/karnataka/assembly-constituencies/chamrajpet.html</ref>
In [[2004 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|2004]], he unsuccessfully contested the [[Chamrajpet Assembly constituency|Chamarajpet constituency]], [[Bangalore]] [[Deliberative assembly|assembly]] election from [[Janata Dal (Secular)]]. He was pitched against then [[Chief minister|Chief Minister]] of Karnataka, [[S. M. Krishna]] from the [[Indian National Congress]] and fellow actor [[Mukhyamantri Chandru]] from [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.in/karnataka/assembly-constituencies/chamrajpet.html|title=Chamrajpet Election and Results 2018, Candidate list, Winner, Runner-up, Current MLA and Previous MLAs|website=Elections in India}}</ref> On 22 February 2023  [[Bharatiya Janata Party, Karnataka|BJP, Karnataka]] state unit organised a programme in the presence of state president [[Nalin Kumar Kateel]]
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publictv.in/actor-anant-nag-officially-joined-bjp-today/|title=Actor Anant Nag will join BJP|work=Public TV}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://newswaali.com/kgf-actor-anant-nag-will-join-bjp-many-big-leaders-will-be-present-karnata-news-famous-kgf-actor-anant-nag-will-join-bjp-today-news-waali/|title=KGF actor Anant Nag is joining BJP on the presence of many big leaders|work=News Waali}}</ref> where Anant Nag was said to join BJP, but he didn't attend the programme and later the programme was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publictv.in/actor-anant-nag-deffered-bjp-party-joining-in-bengaluru/|title=Actor Anant Nag Deffered BJP joining in Bengaluru|work=Public TV}}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
Line 55: Line 57:


==Awards==
==Awards==
{{BLP sources section|date= January 2023}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Award
!Outcome
!Ref
|-
|2025
|[[Padma Bhushan]]
|Won
|
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ [[Karnataka State Film Awards]]
|+ [[Karnataka State Film Awards]]
!Year !!Award type !! Film !! Ref(s)
!Year !!Award type !! Film !! Ref(s)
|-
|-
| 1979–80 || [[Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] || ''[[Minchina Ota (1980 film)|Minchina Ota]]'' ||
| 1979–80 || rowspan="4" | [[Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] || ''[[Minchina Ota (1980 film)|Minchina Ota]]'' ||
|-
|-
| 1985–86 || Best Actor || ''[[Hosa Neeru]]'' ||
| 1985–86 || ''[[Hosa Neeru]]'' ||
|-
|-
| 1987-88 || Best Actor ||''[[Avasthe]]'' ||
| 1987–88 ||''[[Avasthe]]'' ||
|-
|-
| 1994–95 || Best Actor || ''Gangavva Gangamayi'' ||
| 1994–95 || ''Gangavva Gangamayi'' ||
|-
|-
| 2011–12 || [[Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award]] || Lifetime Achievement ||
| 2011–12 || [[Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award]] || Lifetime Achievement ||
<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-14/news-interviews/37712086_1_second-best-film-basanth-kumar-patil-sunil-kumar-desai |title=Karnataka State Film Awards 2010–11 winners |newspaper=The Times of India |date=14 March 2013 |accessdate=19 March 2013}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/kannada/news-interviews/Karnataka-State-Film-Awards-2010-11-winners/articleshow/18966690.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518070059/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-14/news-interviews/37712086_1_second-best-film-basanth-kumar-patil-sunil-kumar-desai |url-status=live |archive-date=18 May 2013 |title=Karnataka State Film Awards 2010–11 winners |date=14 March 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=19 March 2013}}</ref>
|}
|}


Line 75: Line 89:
!Year !!Award type !! Film !! Result  
!Year !!Award type !! Film !! Result  
|-
|-
| 1979 || [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada|Best Actor]] || ''[[Naa Ninna Bidalaare]]'' || {{Won}}
| 1977 || [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu|Best Actor (Telugu)]] || ''Prema Lekhalu'' || {{nom}}
|-
|-
| 1982 || Best Actor || ''[[Bara (film)|Bara]]'' || {{Won}}
| 1979 || rowspan="6" | [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada|Best Actor (Kannada)]] || ''[[Naa Ninna Bidalaare]]'' || {{Won}}
|-
|-
| 1989 || Best Actor || ''[[Hendthighelbedi]]'' || {{Won}}
| 1982 || ''[[Bara (1982 film)|Bara]]'' || {{Won}}
|-
|-
| 1990 || Best Actor || ''Udbhava'' || {{Won}}
| 1989 || ''[[Hendthighelbedi]]'' || {{Won}}
|-
|-
| 1991 || Best Actor || ''[[Gauri Ganesha]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/39thAnnualFilmfareKannadaBestActorActress|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170208061710/https://archive.org/details/39thAnnualFilmfareKannadaBestActorActress|url-status=dead|title=39th Annual Filmfare Kannada Best Actor Actress : santosh : Free Down…|date=8 February 2017|archivedate=8 February 2017|website=archive.org}}</ref> || {{Won}}
| 1990 || ''Udbhava'' || {{Won}}
|-
|-
| 2016 || Best Actor || ''[[Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu]]'' || {{Won}}
| 1991 || ''[[Gauri Ganesha]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/39thAnnualFilmfareKannadaBestActorActress|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170208061710/https://archive.org/details/39thAnnualFilmfareKannadaBestActorActress|url-status=dead|title=39th Annual Filmfare Kannada Best Actor Actress : santosh : Free Down…|date=8 February 2017|archive-date=8 February 2017|website=archive.org}}</ref> || {{Won}}
|-
|-
| 2008 || [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada|Best Supporting Actor]] || ''[[Taj Mahal (2008 film)|Tajmahal]]'' || {{Nominated}}
| 2016 || ''[[Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu]]'' || {{Won}}
|-
|-
| 2008 || Best Supporting Actor || | ''[[Aramane]]'' || {{Nominated}}
| rowspan="2" | 2008 || rowspan="3" | [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada|Best Supporting Actor (Kannada)]] || ''[[Taj Mahal (2008 film)|Tajmahal]]'' || {{Nominated}}
|-
|-
| 2015 || Best Supporting Actor || | ''[[Vaastu Prakaara]]'' || {{Nominated}}
| ''[[Aramane]]'' || {{Nominated}}
|-
| 2015 || | ''[[Vaastu Prakaara]]'' || {{Nominated}}
|-
|-
|}
|}
Line 99: Line 115:


==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDb name|id=0619047|name=Anant Nag}}
{{Commons category}}
*{{Rotten-tomatoes-person|anant_nag}}
*{{IMDb name|0619047}}
* [https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/ananth-nag.html Anant Nag on Filmibeat.com]
* [https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/ananth-nag.html Anant Nag on Filmibeat.com]
 
{{Padma Bhushan Award Recipients 2020–2029|state=collapsed}}
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}
{{Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor}}
{{FilmfareKannadaBestActor}}
{{FilmfareKannadaBestActor}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Nag, Anant}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nag, Anant}}
[[Category:Politicians from Bangalore]]
[[Category:Politicians from Bengaluru]]
[[Category:Indian actor-politicians]]
[[Category:Indian actor-politicians]]
[[Category:Male actors in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Kannada cinema]]
Line 115: Line 135:
[[Category:People from Uttara Kannada]]
[[Category:People from Uttara Kannada]]
[[Category:Kannada male actors]]
[[Category:Kannada male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Bangalore]]
[[Category:Male actors from Bengaluru]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Rajyotsava Award 2007]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Rajyotsava Award 2007]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts]]
[[Category:Karnataka State Film Award winners]]

Latest revision as of 06:41, 29 March 2026


Not to be confused with Anantnag, a city in Jammu and Kashmir.

Anant Nag
Nag in 2025
Born (1948-09-04) 4 September 1948 (age 77)
Shirali, Mysore State, Dominion of India
(present-day Karnataka, India)
Occupation
  • Actor
  • politician
Years active1973–present
Works
Full list
Political partyJanata Dal (Secular)
Spouse(s)
(
m. 1987)
FamilyShankar Nag (brother)
Arundathi Nag (sister-in-law)
AwardsPadma Bhushan (2025)
Rajyotsava Award (2007)

Anant Nagarkatte (born 4 September 1948) is an Indian actor whose predominant contribution has been in Kannada cinema.[1] He has acted in over 300 films which include over 250 Kannada films and few films in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Malayalam and English languages.[2][3] He has featured in theatre plays, parallel cinema[3] and television shows.[4][1][5][6]

Nag made his feature film debut through Sankalpa (1973) directed by Prof. P.V Nanjaraj Urs. Sankalpa went on to win seven state awards in Karnataka. His foray into parallel cinema was through Shyam Benegal's Ankur (1974).[7][8] His commercially successful Kannada films have been Bayalu Daari (1976), Kanneshwara Rama (1977), Naa Ninna Bidalaare (1979), Chandanada Gombe (1979), Benkiya Bale (1983), Hendthige Helbedi (1989), Ganeshana Maduve (1990), Gowri Ganesha (1991), Mungaru Male (2006), Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu (2016), Raajakumara (2017), Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai (2018), K.G.F: Chapter 1 (2018), K.G.F: Chapter 2 (2022) and Gaalipata 2 (2022).[3]

He acted in Malgudi Days, a Doordarshan aired[9] television series based on the stories of R. K. Narayan. He is a recipient of six Filmfare Awards South and five Karnataka State Film Awards. He is the elder brother of director and actor Shankar Nag.

Anant was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, in 2025 by the Government of India.[10][11]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Anant Nag was born in a Konkani-speaking family on 4 September 1948 to Anandi and Sadanand Nagarkatte in Shirali, Bhatkal taluk, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, where he spent most of his childhood.[12] He has an elder sister, Shyamala and his younger brother was Shankar Nag.[13]

Nag did his early schooling in a Catholic school in Ajjarkad, Udupi, Ananda Ashrama in Dakshina Kannada and Chitrapur Math in Uttara Kannada district of the erstwhile Mysore state (now Karnataka).[14] In class 9th standard, he was sent to Mumbai for further study.[12] He attempted to join the armed services but was rejected by the Army for being underweight and by the Air Force for poor eyesight.[15] He was drawn towards the theatre movement of Mumbai and he was selected to act in Konkani, Kannada and Marathi-language plays which he did until he turned 22.[2]

Career[edit | edit source]

Theatre[edit | edit source]

Anant Nag began his career with Kannada and Konkani plays in Mumbai. He went on to work in plays of Satyadev Dubey, Girish Karnad and Amol Palekar.[16][17] For a period of about five years, he acted in Konkani, Kannada, Marathi and Hindi plays.[3]

Film and television[edit | edit source]

Following a theatre career in Mumbai, Nag made his film debut with Sankalpa, a 1973 Kannada film. He then grew to become a core part of parallel cinema, which was at its peak in the 1970s and 1980s.[3] Being introduced to director Shyam Benegal by theatre director Satyadev Dubey,[3] he starred in six of Benegal's films: Ankur (1974), Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976), Bhumika (1978), Kondura (1978) and Kalyug (1981).

Nag's arrival into Kannada films was through G. V. Iyer's Hamsageethe (1975), in which he played the role of a disciple of carnatic singing. The film went on to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada.[18]

Nag appeared in thirteen episodes of the television series, Malgudi Days, an adaptation of R. K. Narayan's short stories of the same name, directed by his brother Shankar.[19]

Nag's portrayal of an Alzheimer's patient in Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu (2016) has received critical acclaim and contributed to making this experimental film, a commercial success.[20][21][22] In the comedy-drama Gaalipata 2 (2022), he played Kishore, a Kannada-language professor.[23] Muralidhara Khajane of The Hindu felt his "fantastic portrayal as a teacher and Ganesh's sentimental turn are the hallmarks of this film".[24]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Nag married Gayatri on 9 April 1987.[12]

Political career[edit | edit source]

Nag was an MLC, MLA and a minister in the J. H. Patel government. He served as Bangalore Urban Development minister.[15] In 2004, he unsuccessfully contested the Chamarajpet constituency, Bangalore assembly election from Janata Dal (Secular). He was pitched against then Chief Minister of Karnataka, S. M. Krishna from the Indian National Congress and fellow actor Mukhyamantri Chandru from Bharatiya Janata Party.[25] On 22 February 2023 BJP, Karnataka state unit organised a programme in the presence of state president Nalin Kumar Kateel [26][27] where Anant Nag was said to join BJP, but he didn't attend the programme and later the programme was cancelled.[28]

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Main article: Anant Nag filmography

Awards[edit | edit source]

Year Award Outcome Ref
2025 Padma Bhushan Won
Karnataka State Film Awards
Year Award type Film Ref(s)
1979–80 Best Actor Minchina Ota
1985–86 Hosa Neeru
1987–88 Avasthe
1994–95 Gangavva Gangamayi
2011–12 Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award Lifetime Achievement

[29]

Filmfare Awards South
Year Award type Film Result
1977 Best Actor (Telugu) Prema Lekhalu Nominated
1979 Best Actor (Kannada) Naa Ninna Bidalaare Won
1982 Bara Won
1989 Hendthighelbedi Won
1990 Udbhava Won
1991 Gauri Ganesha[30] Won
2016 Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu Won
2008 Best Supporting Actor (Kannada) Tajmahal Nominated
Aramane Nominated
2015 Vaastu Prakaara Nominated

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Versatile Veteran". Deccan Herald. 10 March 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Films were bolder in the past". Frontline. October 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "'An actor should be like water, ego-less':An interview with Kannada icon Anant Nag". Scroll. 8 October 2017.
  4. ↑ "Anant Nag returns to small screen". The Hindu. 10 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "A brilliant 'NAG'otiator". Deccan Chronicle. 7 September 2016.
  6. ↑ "An ode to the supporting actor". Deccan Herald. 17 April 2020.
  7. ↑ "Ankur (1974)". The Hindu. 23 September 2012.
  8. ↑ "HT Brunch Cover Story: Over the top and on point with Shyam Benegal". Hindustan Times. 11 October 2019.
  9. ↑ "Malgudi Days to Karamchand – the Doordarshan classics that deserve a lockdown comeback". The Print. 25 April 2020.
  10. ↑ "Padma Awards 2025" (PDF). Ministry Of Home Affairs. 25 January 2025. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "Balakrishna, Ajith, Shekhar Kapur, Shobana honoured with Padman Bhushan, Arijit Singh, Ricky Kej conferred with Padma Shri". The Indian Express. 25 January 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "About real life and reel lives". The Times of India. October 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  13. ↑ "A stroll down memory lane". Deccan Herald. 30 November 2015.
  14. ↑ "I used to spin charakha daily for an hour at Ananda Ashram: Anant Nag". Star of Mysore. 15 February 2020.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Anant Nag: Being a politician is tougher than acting a politician". Deccan Chronicle. 4 March 2020.
  16. ↑ "I was influenced by English cinema and absurd plays: Anant Nag". The Hindu. 3 March 2020.
  17. ↑ "I am an untrained actor". The Hindu. 7 June 2016.
  18. ↑ "23rd National Film Awards" (PDF). iffi.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  19. ↑ "How Shankar Nag's Malgudi Days came to life". Deccan Herald. 10 May 2020.
  20. ↑ "Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu: Out to steal your heart". The Hindu. 3 June 2016.
  21. ↑ "Movie Review: Godhi Banna Sadharana Maikattu". Filmfare. 6 June 2016.
  22. ↑ "Four Kannada experiments run to packed houses". The Hindu. 8 June 2016.
  23. ↑ "Kannada industry has looked after me very well: Anant Nag". The New Indian Express. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  24. ↑ Khajane, Muralidhara (12 August 2022). "'Gaalipata 2' movie review: An entertaining and emotional tale of friendship". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  25. ↑ "Chamrajpet Election and Results 2018, Candidate list, Winner, Runner-up, Current MLA and Previous MLAs". Elections in India.
  26. ↑ "Actor Anant Nag will join BJP". Public TV.
  27. ↑ "KGF actor Anant Nag is joining BJP on the presence of many big leaders". News Waali.
  28. ↑ "Actor Anant Nag Deffered BJP joining in Bengaluru". Public TV.
  29. ↑ "Karnataka State Film Awards 2010–11 winners". The Times of India. 14 March 2013. Archived from the original on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  30. ↑ "39th Annual Filmfare Kannada Best Actor Actress : santosh : Free Down…". archive.org. 8 February 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Padma Bhushan Award Recipients 2020–2029

Template:Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor

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