Over the past few days, social media has been flooded with Sandalwood celebrities calling for the Padma Award to be conferred on Anant Nag. This is after PM Narendra Modi declared the stage open for the public to choose the upcoming Padma Award winners. The list will be published before Republic Day next year.
There is a comprehensive opinion that Kannada Cinema is not being considered for the Padma Awards. Especially when the likes of Saif Ali Khan have received the Padma Award, it is shocking to note that the legendary Anant Nag is yet to be acknowledged with the award. Well, it would not be an understatement if you say that Mr Anant Nag even deserves the Dada Saheb Phalke Award. We look at ten reasons in the below headings:
1) An acting career spanning almost half a century
Very few actors tend to have careers spanning more than a decade or two. However, Anant Nag has been at the top for almost five decades, featuring in around 300 films. He has represented multiple verticles, and all these achievements deserve recognition.
2) 5 State Awards and multiple Filmfare Awards
So far, Anant Nag has received State Award on five occasions. Films like Minchina Ota, Hosa Neeru and Avasthe saw him being at his best. Along with several nominations to the Filmfare, he won the black lady six times.
3) The protagonist of various Kannada classics
The end of the 70s and the start of the 80s saw the best of Anant Nag’s work. Sandalwood also got some classics like Naa Ninna Bidalaare, Chandanada Gombe, Benkiya Bale, Gowri Ganesha and Ganeshana Maduve in the process. Recently, films like Mungaru Male have only proved the brilliance of his acting skills.
4) Has played diverse characters on screen
Anant Nag did not hesitate to experiment in mainstream Kannada cinema. Had he not taken the step, it would have been a severe loss for KFI. The diverse roles that he played on-screen, very few have managed to do it in the country.
5) Success in parallel cinema
Along with mainstream cinema, Anant Nag also found success in parallel cinema. He acted in six of Shyam Benegal’s movies. The legend was also part of the TV show Malgudi Days, directed by his brother Shankar Nag.
6) Plenty of notable achievements in theatre
Anant Nag actually started his acting career in the Theatre. For almost five years, he essayed various roles on the stage. He acted in plays by legends like Girish Karnad and Amol Palekar.
7) Been part of many socially relevant films
Including films like SHPS Kasargodu and others, Anant Nag has been at the centre of many socially relevant films till now. Most of these films have had a visible impact on society. This was the legend spreading his wings beyond the screen.
8) Still entertaining us despite crossing 70
While it is hard for actors to stay in the biz. after they have crossed a certain age, the case is a little different here. Despite his age, the veteran has not stopped entertaining us with films like Godhi Banna Saadhara Mykattu and Kavaludaari releasing only recently.
9) Zero controversies
Controversies are considered a part and parcel of an actor’s career. However, despite his presence in the industry for so long, Anant Nag is a man of almost zero controversies.
10) A role model and inspiration for people
A role model and a motivator must get recognition. Apart from his acting abilities, the way he carries himself outside and the opinions he has about life is something everyone can learn from.
