Anant Nag is an Indian actor and occasional film producer who appears as an actor in predominantly in Kannada films and a few Hindi and Telugu films. In a career spanning over 5 decades, he has appeared in over 270 films. After having had a successful theatre career, he made his debut in P. V. Nanjaraja Urs' Kannada film Sankalpa, and Shyam Benegal's Dakhani film Ankur, with the former seeing theatrical release first, in 1973,[1] and won multiple awards at the 1972–73 Karnataka State Film Awards. In G. V. Iyer's 1975 film Hamsageethe, he played the role of Bhairavi Venkatasubbiah, a performance that won critical praise, and the film was awarded the Best Feature Film in Kannada at the 23rd National Film Awards.[2]
Nag went on to appear as a parallel lead alongside leading actors during the time such as Ambareesh and Rajinikanth in the second half of the 1970s. The year 1980 saw the first collaboration of his with his brother Shankar Nag, who appeared as a parallel lead and the director of Minchina Ota. The former's performance won him his first Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor. They further worked together in the latter's directorial films Janma Janmada Anubandha (1980), Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige (1985) and Accident (1985). The brothers worked together for the last time in Shankar's 1987 directorial hugely popular television series Malgudi Days, based on a collection of short stories of the same name by R. K. Narayan, in 1987 that aired on Doordarshan.[3] Nag also became known for his collaboration with Benegal following Ankur in films such as Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976), Kondura (1978) and Kalyug (1981). The lead pair of Nag and actress Lakshmi became widely popular in the 1970s and 1980s after they appeared in popular films such as Chandanada Gombe (1979), Naa Ninna Bidalaare (1979) and Makkaliralavva Mane Thumba (1984) among many others.[4] His performances in Hosa Neeru (1986), Avasthe (1987) and Gangavva Gangamayi (1994) won him three more Best Actor awards at the Karnataka State Film Awards. The decade of 1990s saw him appearing in comic roles and established this image of his with films such as Ganeshana Maduve (1990), Golmaal Radhakrishna (1990), Gauri Ganesha (1991). His second stint in television came in the 2002 Kannada soap opera Garva.[5] He went on to appear in Preeti Illada Mele (2006), Chitte Hejje (2013), Nithyotsava (2013) and Lottery (2013).[6] [7]
In the second half of 1990s, Nag began appearing predominantly in supporting roles and this continued till (2018). The period saw him win multiple nominations and awards at various film awards including the Filmfare Awards South. In recognition of his contribution towards Kannada cinema, the Government of Karnataka honoured with the Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award in 2013.[8]
| Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Sankalpa | Dr. Raju | ||
| 1975 | Devara Kannu | Dr. Anand | ||
| Hamsageethe | Bhairavi Venkatasubbiah | [9] | ||
| 1976 | Bayalu Daari | Gopi | ||
| 1977 | Kanneshwara Rama | Rama | ||
| Anuroopa | Shankar | |||
| 1978 | Kudure Mukha | Mohan | ||
| Maathu Tappada Maga | Kumar | |||
| Sandharbha | Cameo | |||
| Premayana | Mohan | |||
| Madhura Sangama | Dr. Prasanna | |||
| 1979 | Naa Ninna Bidalaare | Krishna | ||
| Chandanada Gombe | Seetharamu | |||
| Mutthu Ondu Mutthu | Dr. Madhukar | |||
| 1980 | Minchina Ota | Tony D'Souza | ||
| Dhairya Lakshmi | Ramesh | |||
| Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu | Ajay | |||
| Narada Vijaya | Narada/Vijay | Dual roles | ||
| Janma Janmada Anubandha | Avinash/Girish Achari | Also co-producer, screenwriter | ||
| Prema Jwala | Vishwa | |||
| 1981 | Anupama | Ananth | ||
| Mareyada Haadu | ||||
| Jeevakke Jeeva | Sagar | |||
| Shreeman | Raghu | |||
| 1982 | Andada Aramane | |||
| Baadada Hoo | Prasad | |||
| Mullina Gulabi | Mohan | |||
| Bara | Sathish Chandra | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada | ||
| Nanna Devaru | Gopal | |||
| Hasyaratna Ramakrishna | ||||
| Betthale Seve | Dr. Paravappa | |||
| 1983 | Simhasana | Arun | ||
| Anveshane | Shyam | |||
| Benkiya Bale | Narasimha Murthy | |||
| Gayathri Maduve | Ravi / Prakash | Dual role | ||
| Hosa Theerpu | Gopal Rao | Cameo appearance | ||
| Kaamana Billu | Chandra | |||
| Bhakta Prahlada | Narada | Special appearance | ||
| Phaniyamma | Cameo appearance | |||
| Ibbani Karagithu | Varun | |||
| Mududida Tavare Aralithu | Chandrashekhar | |||
| Chalisida Sagara | ||||
| Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige | Mysore Matha's brother | Cameo | ||
| Makkale Devaru | Anand | |||
| 1984 | Sukha Samsarakke Hanneradu Sootragalu | Kumar | ||
| Premave Balina Belaku | Madhava | |||
| Prema Sakshi | ||||
| Ramapurada Ravana | Hanumanth Rao | |||
| Olave Baduku | Also producer | |||
| Olavu Moodidaga | ||||
| Makkaliralavva Mane Thumba | Rajashekhar | Also producer | ||
| 1985 | Accident | Dharmadhikari | ||
| Bidugadeya Bedi | Shantaram | |||
| Parameshi Prema Prasanga | ||||
| Shwetha Gulabi | ||||
| Haavu Eni Aata | ||||
| Sedina Hakki | Shankar | |||
| Shabdagalu | ||||
| Hendthi Beku Hendthi | ||||
| 1986 | Hosa Neeru | Krishnaprasad | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor | |
| Nenapina Doni | ||||
| Prema Jala | ||||
| Aruna Raaga | ||||
| Maneye Manthralaya | Ramu | |||
| 1987 | Thayi | |||
| Huli Hebbuli | Lawyer Sriram | Cameo appearance | ||
| Agni Parva | Cameo appearance | |||
| Avasthe | Krishnappa Gowda | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor | ||
| Kurukshetra | Surya | |||
| Athiratha Maharatha | Chief Minister Vijaypratap | |||
| Daiva Shakti | ||||
| 1988 | Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara | Inspector Mahesh | ||
| Ranadheera | Inspector Anand | |||
| Shanthi Nivasa | ||||
| Varna Chakra | ||||
| Sri Venkateshwara Mahime | ||||
| Balondu Bhavageethe | ||||
| Mutthaide | ||||
| 1989 | Amaanusha | |||
| Hendthighelbedi | Anand | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada | ||
| Idu Saadhya | Khyata / Karthik Kamplapur | |||
| Gagana | Raju | |||
| 1990 | Golmaal Radhakrishna | Gopalakrishna | ||
| Ramarajyadalli Rakshasaru | Surya | |||
| Swarna Samsara | ||||
| Challenge Gopalakrishna | Gopalakrishna | |||
| Udbhava | Raghavendra "Raghanna" Rao | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada | ||
| Abhimanyu | G. K. S Master | |||
| Mathe Haditu Kogile | Prasan Kumar | |||
| Anantha Prema | Ananth | |||
| Ganeshana Maduve | Ganesha | |||
| Ivalentha Hendthi | ||||
| 1991 | Maneli Ili Beedili Huli | |||
| Golmaal Part 2 | Gopalakrishna | |||
| Roll Call Ramakrishna | Ramakrishna | |||
| Gowri Ganesha | Lambodara | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada | ||
| Hosa Mane Aliya | ||||
| Shanti Kranti | Daddy | |||
| Nagini | ||||
| 1992 | Undu Hoda Kondu Hoda | Krishna | ||
| Vajrayudha | ||||
| Ondu Cinema Kathe | Shyamsundar Kulkarni | |||
| Shakti Yukti | ||||
| Marana Mrudanga | ||||
| Jhenkaara | ||||
| Ganesha Subramanya | Ganesha | |||
| 1993 | Rajakeeya | Lawyer Siddartha | ||
| Aathanka | Raghu | |||
| Mangalya Bandhana | ||||
| Kadambari | ||||
| Nishkarsha | Subhash, Police Commissioner | |||
| 1994 | Thooguve Krishnana | Babu | ||
| Yarigu Helbedi | Govinda | |||
| Gangavva Gangamayi | Raaghappa | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor | ||
| 1995 | Beladingala Baale | Revanth | ||
| Nilukada Nakshatra | Raja | |||
| 1996 | Samayakkondu Sullu | Krishna | ||
| Thaali Pooje | Jagadish | |||
| Nirbandha | ||||
| Jeevanadhi | ||||
| Anuraga Spandana | Raghuram | |||
| 1997 | Ganesha I Love U | Ganesha | ||
| 1999 | Vishwa | Vijay | ||
| Naanenu Madlilla | Ramachandra | |||
| 2000 | Preethse | Vijay | ||
| Tiger Padmini | ||||
| Krishna Leele | ||||
| Chamundi | ||||
| Yaarige Saluthe Sambala | Venkatagiri | |||
| Nan Hendthi Chennagidale | ||||
| Swalpa Adjust Madkolli | Vasudeva Rao | |||
| Andhra Hendthi | ||||
| 2001 | Mathadana | Ramalinge Gowda | ||
| Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu | Special Investigation Officer | |||
| Asura | Birla Bose | |||
| Aunty Preethse | ||||
| Chitra | Ramu's father | |||
| Amma | ||||
| Neela | Shivajja | |||
| Chitte | ||||
| Hello Narada | ||||
| 2002 | Bhootayyana Makkalu | |||
| Manase O Manase | ||||
| Manasella Neene | Editor-in-chief of magazine | |||
| Naanu Naane | ||||
| Hollywood | Scientist K. D. Das | |||
| 2003 | Ananda | |||
| Bangalore Bandh | Chief Minister of Karnataka | |||
| Lankesh Patrike | Lankesh | |||
| Preethi Prema Pranaya | Dr. Chandrashekar | [10] | ||
| Khushi | Rajendra Prasad | |||
| Chigurida Kanasu | B. Sundar Rao | |||
| Mouni | Appanna Bhatta | |||
| 2004 | Sagari | Prof. Ramachandra | ||
| Mellusire Savigana | ||||
| Bidalaare | Cameo | |||
| Pakkadamane Hudugi | Chakravarthy | |||
| Santhosha | ||||
| 2005 | Encounter Dayanayak | Prakash Hegde | ||
| Nenapirali | Ekanth's father | |||
| Vishnu Sena | Chief Minister of Karnataka | |||
| 2006 | Shree | |||
| Uppi Dada M.B.B.S. | Dr. Ashok Kashyap | |||
| Neenello Naanalle | Santosh's father | |||
| Ravi Shastri | Narayana Dixit | |||
| Kallarali Hoovagi | Basavadeva "Basayya" | |||
| Mungaru Male | Colonel Subbayya | |||
| 2007 | Sajni | Ananth Murthy | ||
| Nali Naliyutha | Srinivasa | |||
| Ninade Nenapu | ||||
| Snehanjali | ||||
| Ganesha | Rao Bahadur Shivaraj Patil | |||
| Ee Bandhana | Narayana Ullagaddi | |||
| 2008 | Gaalipata | Kodandaram | ||
| Honganasu | ||||
| Yuga Yugagale Saagali | Sashi's father | |||
| Aramane | Rajashekhar Aras | |||
| Super Jodi | ||||
| Neene Neene | Rajasekhar | |||
| Taj Mahal | Narayan Murthy | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada | ||
| Arjun | Jayasimharaja | |||
| Ganesha Matte Bandha | Padmanabhacharya | |||
| Ganga Kaveri | Arjun's father | |||
| 2009 | Namyajamanru | Retd. Col. Hoovayya | ||
| Baaji | ||||
| Ghauttham | ||||
| Chellidaru Sampigeya | ||||
| Eshtu Naguthi Nagu | ||||
| Cheluvina Chilipili | ||||
| Huchchi | ||||
| Mr. Garagasa | Parthasarthy | |||
| 2010 | Crazy Kutumba | Mallanagowda Patil | ||
| Premism | ||||
| Mr. Theertha | Narayana Shastri | |||
| Eradane Maduve | Vishwanath | |||
| Olave Vismaya | ||||
| Preethi Hangama | Raj's father | |||
| Pancharangi | A wanderer | |||
| Rame Gowda vs Krishna Reddy | Subbanna | |||
| 2011 | Kalgejje | |||
| Take It Easy | ||||
| Mathond Madhuvena | Vishwanath | |||
| Bhramara | ||||
| Paramathma | Jayanth | |||
| Naanalla | Subash Chandra Prasad | |||
| Bete | ||||
| Dhan Dhana Dhan | ||||
| 2012 | Prarthane | |||
| Jeevana Jokealli | ||||
| Dev Son of Mudde Gowda | Mudde Gowda | |||
| Dashamukha | Venkataraman | |||
| Breaking News | Somashekhar | |||
| 2013 | Myna | Cameo appearance | ||
| Kaddipudi | Sathya Murthy | |||
| Googly | Sharath's father | |||
| Sakkare | Col Cariappa | |||
| Shravani Subramanya | Seetharam | |||
| 2014 | Brahma | Narayana Murthy | ||
| Manada Mareyalli | Bhujanga Shetty | |||
| Athi Aparoopa | Vishwanath | |||
| Gajakesari | Matadhipathi | |||
| Jai Bajarang Bali | ||||
| 2015 | Vaastu Prakaara | Anantha Krishna | ||
| Mrugashira | ||||
| Aatagara | Retired judge | Cameo appearance Nominated, IIFA Utsavam Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role — Male | ||
| Mr. Airavata | Vitta Gowda | |||
| Plus | Jai | |||
| First Rank Raju | Professor | |||
| The Plan | [11] | |||
| Prema Pallakki | ||||
| 2016 | Maduveya Mamatheya Kareyole | Krishne Gowda | Nominated, IIFA Utsavam Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role — Male | |
| Parapancha | Naalkane | Also playback singer of "Kavanagalu" (11 shayaris)[12] | ||
| U the End A | ||||
| ...Re | ||||
| Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu | Venkob Rao | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada IIFA Utsavam Award for Best Performance in a Leading Role — Male | ||
| Jaggu Dada | Satyanarayan | |||
| Santheyalli Nintha Kabira | Kabir's Guru | Cameo appearance | ||
| Crazy Boy | Cameo appearance | |||
| Santhu Straight Forward | Ananya's grandfather | [13] | ||
| 2017 | Raajakumara | Vishwa Joshi | [14] | |
| March 22 | Geologist | [15] | ||
| Mugulu Nage | Doctor | [16] | ||
| Gowdru Hotel | [17] | |||
| 2018 | Hottegagi Genu Battegagi | Shyam Prasad | [18] | |
| Anantha Padmanabha P. | Nominated—SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) – Kannada | [19] | ||
| Anand Ingalagi | Also narrator | [20] | ||
| 2019 | Aduva Gombe | Kishan | ||
| Kavalu Daari | Muthanna | |||
| Yaana | [21] | |||
| Ayushman Bhava | Gopi | |||
| Weekend | [22] | |||
| 2020 | India vs England | Bhagiratha | [23] | |
| 2021 | Drishya 2 | Vijay Shankar | [24] | |
| 2022 | Gaalipata 2 | Kishore | [25] | |
| Thimayya & Thimayya | Thimayya | [26] | ||
| Vijayanand | B. G. Sankeshwar | [27] | ||
| Made in Bengaluru | Prahlad Hiranandani | [28] | ||
| 2023 | Murthy | Completed | [29] | |
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Ankur | Surya | [30] | ||
| 1975 | Nishant | Anjaiya | [31] | ||
| 1976 | Manthan | Chandavarkar | |||
| 1977 | Prema Lekhalu | Madan | |||
| 1978 | Rajan | Hindi | |||
| Kondura Anugraham | Parashuram Rao | Hindi Telugu | |||
| 1980 | Gehrayee | Nandu | Hindi | ||
| 1981 | Mangalsutra | Vijay | |||
| Kalyug | Bharat Raj | ||||
| 1983 | Sookha | Satish Chandra | |||
| 1987 | Swathi Thirunal | Swathi Thirunal | Malayalam | ||
| 1991 | Shanti Kranti | Daddy | Telugu | ||
| Nattukku Oru Nallavan | Daddy | ||||
| Shanti Kranti | Daddy | Hindi | |||
| 1992 | Raat / Raatri | Psychiatrist | Hindi / Telugu | ||
| 2001 | Maya | Arun | Hindi | ||
| 2003 | Anahat | King of Shravasthi | |||
| Stumble | Anand Rao | ||||
| 2004 | Sankharavam | Chandra Rayudu | Telugu | ||
| Yuva | Avinash Balachandran | Hindi | |||
| 2005 | Balu | Baba | Telugu | ||
| 2020 | Bheeshma | Bheeshma | |||
| Year | Show | Role | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Malgudi Days (Hindi) | Jagan (in Vendor of Sweets) | [32] | |
| 1997 | Swarajnama | Tipu Sultan | [33] | |
| 2002 | Garva | |||
| 2006–2008 | Preeti Illada Mele | Rajashekhara Hampapura | ||
| 2013 | Chitte Hejje | |||
| 2013 | Lottery | |||
| 2013 | Nithyotsava | [34] |