Exclusive: Working in multiple languages was culturally enriching: Dadasaheb Phalke winner Anant Nag

Body Copy: Kannada actor Anant Nag expressed deep gratitude upon being conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award on Wednesday. Speaking exclusively to Filmfare, the veteran actor, who has spent more than five decades in cinema, shared that the award ‘means the world to him.’ “I felt so heartened to see our PM Modi sir appreciating my work.”

Quitting a lucrative bank job

From an 18-year-old who started working as a bank employee to entering theatre and subsequently stepping into cinema, Anant Nag’s life has been a fairytale. But he says cinema did not change the way he saw life.

“My journey into films has been intentional. My bank managers too encouraged me to pursue acting while balancing films. Even though I went on leave for film shooting, I was still paid in full. But after one point I felt that I was taking undue advantage of films. I wanted someone else who deserves the job to be there,” reveals Nag, who quit his bank job and took up acting full-time.

Is he in touch with any of the bank employees? “No, it’s been almost 60 years since I quit, and now I am 78.”

Humbled life in an ashram

Filmmakers kept him busy with offers, so he had a stable career from the initial stage itself. And for someone who has spent five decades in cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award is like a crowning glory. But Anant Nag says that his early life in the ashram and the teachings in the Mutt kept him grounded.

“I spent my formative years of life in the ashram, so I was trained to prepare for everything in life. I had a measure of how life in cinema at every stage was going to be. There were so many realisations and lessons learnt during my life journey.”

Break from acting

In spite of receiving many offers, Anant Nag stopped acting and hasn’t taken up any film in the last three years. Wasn’t he getting any good roles? He couldn’t agree more.

“I don’t want to mar my career and reputation by doing roles that are insignificant to the narrative,” he points out.

But will he reconsider his decision with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, we ask? “Now any role I take up should be worth the Dadasaheb Phalke Award,” he laughs.

Kannada brand ambassador

Anant has been a student of Sanskrit since his ashram days. Since Sanskrit is a Vedic language, he easily navigated other languages.

“Working in multiple languages and industries has been culturally enriching.” The actor explains that filmmakers from other languages called him only for exceptional roles.

“I see myself as an ambassador of Kannada cinema for other languages. I still remember the early days when I shot with Shyam Benegal on the East Coast of Visakhapatnam.”

Realistic cinema vs Pan-India

Earlier, actors were cast in a film based on their theatre background and acting workshops. But filmmakers cast aspiring actors based on their social media following. While encouraging Pan-India films, he wanted filmmakers to bring out rooted stories.

“Your roots are your ethos and identity. I hope more such films will be made,” he signs off.

Also Read: Anant Nag’s Extraordinary Journey Culminates in Dadasaheb Phalke Honour