Indian Film Actor
Birth
Nagesh was born as Cheyur Krishna Nageshwaran Rao on 27th September 1933 to Krishna Rao and Rukmaniammal in Kolunjuvadi in Dharapuram of Tirupur District of Tamil Nadu. His other name is ThaiGanesh. He had spent his whole life in Tamil Nadu, even though he was born in a Kannada speaking family.
Personal life
He married Regina Rao. He had three sons Ramesh Babu, Rajesh Babu and Anand Babu. He was registered in a traditional school in 1907 and in the following year he went to Yenadhi Narayana Vidhya Salai.
Life Career of Nagesh
Nagesh shifted to Madras City, leaving the Dharapuram in search of a job.When he was in Madras, his roommates were Director Sridhar and Vaali, who later became the cinema personalities in Tamil. .
Initially he began his career as a clerk in the Indian Railways. Once, he requested the secretary in the Railway’s cultural association to offer him the character of a man crying with stomach pain. MGR was the Chief Guest at the Railway cultural association function, where he spoke about Nagesh’s performance and gave him the appreciation.
Movie Career of Nagesh
Nagesh got a chance from Producer Balaji, to act in a small role in the film called “Manamulla Marudhaaram” in 1958. Nagesh made his debut in Kannada movie Makkala Rajya in the year 1960. He got huge appreciation for his acting in the movie Thayilla Pillai in 1961. Then his film Nenjil Or Aalayam in 1962, gave the confirmation to his career in the Tamil Cinema.
He played the main role in the Legendary Krishnan Panju’s film Server Sundaram. His acting for the song “Avalukenna… Azhagiya Mugam” written by Vaali, in this movie became a big hit.
He often got Manorama as his pair in his movies, like Vettaikaran, Thaali Bhagyam, Kanni Thai, En Kadaimai, Thayin Madiyil, Chandrodhyam, Kadhal Vagahnam, Padagotti, Kaavalkaran, Panathotaam, Anbe Vaa, Ther Thiruvizha, Thaikku Thalaimagan, Thazampoo, Thozilali and Thanipiravi, in which MGR was the lead hero.
From 1962, Nagesh Manorama comedy pair was proven to be hit among the audiences in many of their films like Kungumam, Panjavarnakilli, Ratha Thilagam, Puthiya Paravai, Navarathiri, Saraswathi Sabadham, Anbu Karangal, Anubhavi Raja Anubhavi, Galatta Kalyanam, Gowri Kalyanam, Ninaivin Nindraval, Ner Vazhi, Poojaikku Vandamalar, Shanthi, Deivathin Deivam, Aannavin Asai, Thenmazhai, Seetha, Saadu Mirandal, Mani Makutam, Andru Kanda Mugam, Kandan Karunai, Thaimel Aanai, Kaalam Vellum, Thiruvarutchelvar, Annai Abirami, Karunthel Kannayiram, Annamitta Kai and Vilakkam. His other movies like Thillana Mohanambal, Nabargal, Madras to Pondicherry and Bommalattam were also the hit ones.
Nagesh and Sachu comedy also got huge recognition among the audience. He acted with Actress Sachu in the films like Thunaivan, Penn Deivam, Kettikaran, Kadhalikka Neram Illai, Sorgam, Athhaiya Mamiya, Vandha Marumagal and Patham Pasali. Other movies of him are Periya Edathu Penn, Pannakara Kudumbam, Aayirathil Oruvan, Adhey Kangal, Naan and Enga Veetu Pillai.
His other films were Dheiva Thai, Kudiyirudha Koyil, Parisu, Veetuku Vandha Marumagal, Nadodi, Nawab Narkali, Naan Annaiyittal, Selva Magal and Aayiram Roobai. In 1971, for the film Iru Thuruvam, he played a negative character. In the film Kai Naraya Kaasu, he played the double role.
Nagesh career in other roles
He had an interest to do only comedy roles, since from more comedians were performing in the low standard comedy 1980 to 1988, he was ready to accept the other roles too . His character change with the Kamal Hassan’s film Apoorva Sagodharargal brought a huge sucess. In that film, his villainous role got huge appreciation. Next in the film Michael Madana Kama Rajan, he got an eminent role as a secretary. He gave his performance as a corpse for the movie “Magalir Mattum” in 1994.
Later career of Nagesh
From 1990s, he was very careful in choosing his films. He got a huge appreciation for his movies like Raja Kaiya Vacha, Pudhu Pudhu Ragangal, Indrudu Chandrudu, Cheran Pandiyan, Putham Pudhu Payanam, Rickshaw Mama, Amma Ponnu, Nammavar, Gandeevam, Avvai Shanmugi, Thadayam, Pagaivan, Ayudha Poojai and Poove Unakkaga.
During 2000s, he gave his appearance in the supporting roles. Before his death, he gave his performances in the movies like Vasool Raja MBBS, Panchathanthiram, Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi and Dasavathaaram. After his death, his animated version was used in the movie Kochadaiiyaan in 2014.
Nagesh was known for filming more than five films simultaneously, even though he saw ups and downs in his career. His evergreen movie includes the Thillana Moganambal, Server Sundaram, Ethir Neechal, Chandrakanth, Thiruvilayadal and Chandrakanth.
Difference with actress Manorama
The Director K.Balachandar wished actress Manorama to act with Nagesh in the movie Navakiragam in 1970. But he refused to act with Manorama. For this act of Nagesh, Manorama was disappointed and made a decision not to act with Nagesh anymore in future. In 1972, MGR made Nagesh and Manorama pair to act in his film for the last time. After this, even though Nagesh and Manorama were seen in many movies, but there was no dialogue between them. After this, both of them gave their performance in the movies like Michael Madana Kamarajan and Imisai Arasan 23am Pulikesi.
Records of Nagesh
Nagesh was the long-standing comedian in the Tamil Cinema. He was known as Jerry Lewis of India because of his talent and the plenty of comic roles he made. Nagesh was one of the successful comedians of Tamil Cinema and done above 1000 movies from 1958 to 2008. He had given his performance in lead roles, comedy, supporting role and negative role.
Awards for Nagesh
He won the Kalaimamani Award from the Government of TamilNadu in 1974. Then in 1994, for the movie Nammavar, he won the Special Prize under Tamil Nadu State Award. Nagesh won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for the movie Nammavar in the same year. In 1995, he won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in South.
Death
On 31st January 2009, Nagesh died because of heart ailment and diabetes at his 75th age. In his early age, he had the habit of regular drinking and smoking.