One of
Kannada
cinema’s most loved actors,
Anant Nag has been trending on social media, to get his name in the running for a
Padma
award. The veteran actor, who has just resumed work after nearly 15 months away from it, has joined the set of
Drishya 2
. We spoke to him about
#AnantNagForPadma
and his return to work.
"I feel overwhelmed by the goodwill, affection and regard they have for me. But I also did not expect this kind of a reaction from our people. Of course, I know that they appreciate my work. This is not the first time that my name has come up in such a discussion. In the past, whenever the awards are announced, people have wondered why I have not been in the reckoning. I have always laughed it off. But I am grateful that people think I deserve it,” says Anant.
Does he feel shortchanged for not getting this honour yet? "I have had no expectations ever. I was in politics earlier, so, I thought perhaps that may be the reason. Though, over the last few years, when so many questions were raised on social media, the people’s feelings for me were more gratifying than an award itself. Now that the awards are in the public realm, it is interesting. I have been following the Padma awards since I was young, and have looked up to the awardees. But yes, there has been lobbying and nepotism and deserving candidates have been ignored," he says.
The campaign apart,
Anant is thrilled to be back at work. "My doctors have advised me that I can resume work; I have taken both doses of the vaccine. I have been at home for 15 months. I have told the team of Drishya 2 that I will be there, provided everyone on the set is vaccinated and other safety precautions are followed. I have new offers and some pending commitments too. I have missed being at work. I like it best when I am not myself, and get to be someone else on the set."
Anant adds, “When the team of Drishya 2, which is the remake of the
Malayalam
film Drishyam 2, approached me for this character who is completely new, I liked it. The story reminded me of the books I have enjoyed reading. The story has been left open ended and there are no songs or fights either. Malayalam films have something for everyone to learn from.”
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