He received an Honorable Mention at the 35th Berlin International Film Festival in 1985, and the best male actor title in the 1982 Cannes Film Festival.
Akan was stood on trial and was imprisoned for 2.5 months during the September 12, 1980 coup after he held a speech in Germany. He described his prison days in his book named `Anne Kafamda Bit Var` (Mom I have lice).
Akan also founded a private school and was the chairman of the Nesin foundation.
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