Anant Nag (b. 1948)

Actor born in Bombay as Anant Nagarkatti. One of the better-known New Indian Cinema actors committed to psychological characterisation. Bank employee while doing amateur theatre in Marathi and Kannada. Introduced by Shyam Benegal’s début feature, Ankur, in Hindi and by G.V. Iyer’s revivalist musical Hamsa Geethe in Kannada cinema. Became a major Kannada star although, unlike his younger brother Shankar Nag, he tended to restrict himself to ‘complex’ character roles. Acted regularly for Benegal in the 70s. Other roles include the legendary Kannada brigand Kanneshwara Rama and the 19th C. Travancore musician-king, Swathi Thirunal. Also acted in most films and TV serials directed by Shankar Nag. Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council for the Janata Dal; thereafter elected to the state Legislative Assembly (1993) and Minister for Urban Development.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1972: Sankalpa; 1973: Ankur; 1975: Hamsa Geethe; Nishant; Devara Kannu; 1976: Bayalu Dari; Manthan; Bhumika; 1977: Kanneshwara Rama; Anurupa; Premalekhalu; Kondura/ Anugraham; Kudre Mukha; 1978: Sandarbha; Matu Tappada Maga; Premayana; Madhura Sangama; 1979: Na Ninna Bidalare; Chandanada Gombe; Muttu Ondu Muttu; Dhairyalakshmi; 1980: Minchina Ota; Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu; Narada Vijaya; Janma Janmada Anubandha; Premajwale; Gehrayee; Kalyug; Bara/Sookha; Anveshane; 1981: Mangalsutra (K/H); Anupama; Mareyada Haadu; Jivakke Jiva; Shriman; 1982: Anandada Aramane; Bhadada Hoo; Mullina Gulabi; Nanna Devaru; Hasyarathna Ramakrishna; Bettale Seve; Phaniyamma; 1983: Lalach; Simhasana; Benkiya Bale; Hosa Teerpu; Kamana Billu; Bhakta Prahlada; Ebbani Karagitu; Mududida Tavare Aralitu; Gayatri Madhuve; Makkale Devaru; Chelisada Sagara; Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige; Premave Balina Belaku; 1984: Sukha Samsarakke Hanneradu Sutragalu; Premasakshi; Ramapurada Ravana; Olave Bedaku; Accident; Olavu Moodidaga; Makkaliralavva Mane Thumba; 1985: Bidugadeya Bedi; Haavu Eni Aata; Sedina Hakki; Koogu; Hosa Neeru; Parameshi Prema Prasanga; Shweta Gulabi; Shabdagalu; Hendthi Beku Hendthi; 1986: Nenapina Doni; Maneye Manthralaya; Premajala; Anuragha; 1987: Thayi; Agni Parva; Avasthe; Kurukshetra; Athiratha Maharatha; Divyashakti; Swathi Thirunal; Antima Ghatta; 1988: Ranadheera; Shanti Nivasa; Varna Chakra; Shri Venkateshwara Mahime; Balondu Bhavageethe; Muttaide; Dharmatma (K); Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara; Shri Venkateshwara Mahime; 1989: Amanusha; Hendthige Helabedi; Idu Saadhya; Gagana; 1990: Jurm; Golmaal Radhakrishna; Ramrajyadalli Rakshasaru; Swarna Samsara; Challenge Gopalakrishna; Udbhava; Mathe Hadithu Kogile; Ganeshana Madhuve; Golmaal Bhaga II; Aata Bombata; Ivalentha Hendthi; Maneyalli Illi Beediyalli Huli; 1991: Rollcall Ramakrishna; Gauri Ganesha; Shanti Kranti; Ratri/Raat?; Nagini; Undoohoda Kondoohoda; 1992: Undu Roda Konda Hoda; Vajrayudha; Ganesha Subramanya; Ondu Cinema Kathe; Shakti Yukti; Atanka; Mangalya Bandhana; Marana Mridanga; Jhenkara; Rajakiya; 1993: Kadambari; Nishkarsha; Thooguve Krishna; 1994: Yarigu Helbedi; Nilukada Nakshatra; 1995:Beladingala Bale.

Actor