Dadasaheb Phalke Award Winners List (1969 to 2026): Veteran Actor Anant Nag Honoured at 72nd National Film Awards

The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony (held on September 22, 2026) marked a monumental milestone for Indian cinema as veteran actor Anant Nag was conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2024.

The award this year was presented by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. The honour celebrates Anant Nag's extraordinary five decade journey across Kannada, Hindi, and parallel cinema.

Instituted in 1969, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award remains India’s highest official recognition in the field of cinema for recognising legendary icons who have shaped the development of Indian feature films since Dadasaheb Phalke directed Raja Harishchandra in 1913.

Important Difference to Note: The official Dadasaheb Phalke Award (presented by the Government of India) operates on a 2-year delay relative to the ceremony year (for example the 2024 Award is presented in 2026 at the 72nd National Film Awards). This is different from the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) Awards which are awarded annually by an independent organization.

You will get to read more about the accolade history through this all time Dada Saheb Phalke award winners list hereon to be up to date with current affairs related to awards or events. 

A lifetime of cinematic excellence, celebrated. 🎬🏆

The Government of India announces the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 for Anant Nag’s outstanding contribution to Indian cinema and an illustrious journey that has inspired generations.

📅 22 September 2026
📍… pic.twitter.com/UIfPYJEh5K

— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) September 16, 2026

List of all Dadasaheb Phalke Award Winners from 1969 to Present

You can check the below given list for more details about the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award winners presented by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the National Film Awards. This list highlights the notable contributions of artists from various film industries in India over the years. 

List of 72nd National Film Awards 2026 Winners

Alongside the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Anant Nag, key winners at the 72nd National Film Awards included:

• Best Feature Film: Article 370

• Best Actor: Jointly shared by Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) and Mammootty

• Best Actress: Yami Gautam (Article 370)

List of Dadasaheb Phalke International Award Winners 2024 (DPIFF)

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest honor in cinema, recognizes significant contributions to the film industry.

(Note: These awards are presented separately by a private film festival organization and recognize annual film performances across major categories.)

About the Dada Saheb Phalke Award

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema and is presented annually at the National Films Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The very first recipient of this award was Devika Rani who received it in 1969 on the occasion of the 17th National Films Awards.

Dadasaheb Phalke is known as the 'Father of Indian Cinema'. He made India's first full-length feature film Raja Harishchandra in 1913. Hence, to commemorate Dadasaheb Phalke, the Government of India started the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1969.

The recipients are honoured for their outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.

The winners of the Dadasaheb Phalke award are selected by a committee consisting of eminent personalities from the Indian film industry. The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of Rs. 10 Lakh.