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Nageshwaran Rao (born Cheyur Krishnarao Nageshwaran; (27 September 1933 – 31 January 2009) was an Indian actor and comedian mostly remembered for his comic roles in Tamil films during the 1960s. Nagesh was born in Dharapuram. He acted in over 1,000
films A film, also known as a movie or motion picture, is a work of Visual arts, visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, emotions, or atmosphere through the use of moving images that are gen ...
from 1958 to 2008, performing in a variety of roles as comedian, lead roles, supporting actor and antagonist. He has also acted in Telugu,
Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...
,
Hindi Modern Standard Hindi (, ), commonly referred to as Hindi, is the Standard language, standardised variety of the Hindustani language written in the Devanagari script. It is an official language of India, official language of the Government ...
and
Kannada Kannada () is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly in the state of Karnataka in southwestern India, and spoken by a minority of the population in all neighbouring states. It has 44 million native speakers, and is additionally a ...
films. Nagesh's style of comedy was largely inspired by Hollywood actor
Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis (born Joseph Levitch; March 16, 1926 – August 20, 2017) was an American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker and humanitarian, with a career spanning seven decades in film, stage, television and radio. Famously nicknamed as "Th ...
. Similarities between Nagesh and Lewis earned Nagesh the
sobriquet A sobriquet ( ) is a descriptive nickname, sometimes assumed, but often given by another. A sobriquet is distinct from a pseudonym in that it is typically a familiar name used in place of a real name without the need for explanation; it may beco ...
the "Jerry Lewis of India". He was also nicknamed as the King of Comedy due to his impeccable comedy timing and body language. He featured regularly in the film projects of M. G. Ramachandran and
Sivaji Ganesan Villupuram. Chinnaiya Manrayar Ganesamoorthy (1 October 1928 – 21 July 2001), better known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan, was an Indian actor and film producer. He was mainly active in Tamil cinema during the latter half of the 20th centur ...
even at a time when there was a massive rift between the two leading actors in Tamil cinema at that time. He has a unique distinction of sharing screen with lead actors belonging to three generations of Tamil film industry, starring with MGR and Sivaji Ganesan in the 1960s; Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth in the 1980s: Vijay and Ajith before his death. He was also a dancer. The song "Kanni Nathiyoram" in the movie ''Neerkumizhi'' shows some of his dance skills.


Early life

Nagesh was born as Cheyur Krishna Nageshwaran to Kannadiga Hindu parents. His parents were Krishnan Rao and Rukmani Ammal. Nagesh was born in Dharapuram. He completed his schooling in Dharapuram. He left Dharapuram at an early age and moved to Madras city in search of a career. His roommates, the writer Vaali and actor Srikanth, later established themselves as prominent personalities in the Tamil cinema field. He worked as a
clerk A clerk is a white-collar worker who conducts record keeping as well as general office tasks, or a worker who performs similar sales-related tasks in a retail environment. The responsibilities of clerical workers commonly include Records managem ...
in the
Indian Railways Indian Railways is a state-owned enterprise that is organised as a departmental undertaking of the Ministry of Railways (India), Ministry of Railways of the Government of India and operates India's national railway system. , it manages the fou ...
.


Film career


Early career

Early in his life, he saw the Tamil play '' Kamba Ramayanam'', enacted by his colleagues, and felt that he could do a good job. He persuaded the secretary of the railway's cultural association to give him the role of a man suffering from stomach pain. MGR, then chief guest, seeing this play, in his speech praised Nagesh for his performance. From then onwards, Nagesh played small roles in various drama troupes. In 1958, producer Balaji spotted Nagesh and gave him his first break in a film called ''Manamulla Marudhaaram''. The film did not do well at the box office. Moreover, Nagesh had only a small role to play in the movie. Nagesh won critical acclaim for his performance in the 1961 movie ''Thayilla Pillai''. But it was his 1962 hit '' Nenjil Or Aalayam'' which launched his career in the Tamil film industry. Nagesh was seen playing the lead role in '' Server Sundaram'' (1964), directed by '' Krishnan–Panju'', adapted from a 1963 play of the same name written by the legend '' K. Balachander''. The movie was a remarkable hit and proved to be a great turning point in his career. The song from this film "Avalukenna... Azhagiya Mugam...", written by Vaali was a big hit.


Rise to prominence

''Server Sundaram'' marked Nagesh's rise to prominence. The film was about a restaurant waiter, "server" Sundaram, who struggles to make ends meet. The success of ''Server Sundaram'' ensured that Nagesh was one of the most sought-after actors in the 1960s. At the height of his career, he acted in as much as 35 movies in a single calendar year, at one time shooting six movies simultaneously. He appeared in a cameo in the 1965 mythological '' Thiruvilayadal'', in which he portrayed the poor, simpleton temple priest Dharumi. The soliloquy which Dharmi indulges in, within the temple precincts, is regarded as one of the unforgettable scenes of Tamil cinema. He followed the success with supporting roles in films such as '' Kaadhalikka Neramillai'', where he wants to direct a film under his own production house, Oho Productions (but until the climax he does not make a film), '' Anbe Vaa'', ''Shanthi Nilayam'', '' Pattanathil Bhootham'' and '' Vietnam Veedu''. He played Mohan in '' Major Chandrakanth'', which was a popular hit and won for its lead actor Sundararajan the nickname "Major" Sundararajan. His portrayal of the detestable pimp Vaidhy in ''
Thillana Mohanambal ''Thillana Mohanambal'' () is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language romantic musical dance film written, directed and produced by A. P. Nagarajan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini and T. S. Balaiah, with A. V. M. Rajan, Nagesh and Manorama ...
'' was noted for the way in which Nagesh blended humour with villainy. In most of his comic films, Nagesh paired with the actress Manorama. In 1967, Nagesh acted in his first Hindi movie, '' Farz''. Manorama was paired with Nagesh regularly in films with M.G. Ramachandran as lead between 1960 and 1970 such as '' Thaali Bagyam, Vettaikaran, En Kadamai, Kanni Thai, Thayin Madiyil, Kadhal Vaganam, Chandrodhyam, Anbe Vaa,
Padagotti ''Padagotti'' () is a 1964 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language social problem film directed by T. Prakash Rao and produced by G. N. Velumani. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi, with M. N. Nambiar, S. V. Ramadas, Nagesh, Man ...
, Panathotaam, Kaavalkaran, Kadhal Vagahnam, Vivasaaye, Thaikku Thalaimagan,
Ther Thiruvizha ''Ther Thiruvizha'' ( ) is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language drama film, directed by M. A. Thirumugam. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa. It was released on 23 February 1968. Plot By means of his Indian coracle, Saravanan, a bi ...
, Thanipiravi, Thazhampoo'' and ''Thozhilali''. Other directors cast the Nagesh-Manorama pair in memorable films beginning from 1962, such as ''Nenjil Or Aalayam, Kungumam, Rakta Thilagam, Panjavarnakilli, Navarathiri, Puthiya Paravai, Anbu Karangal, Anubhavi Raja Anubhavi, Saraswathi Sabadham, Gowri Kalyanam, Galatta Kalyanam, Ner Vazhi, Ninaivin Nindraval, Poojaikku Vandamalar, Deiva Thirumagal, Deivathin Deivam, Shanti, Thenmazhai, Aannavin Asai, Andru Kanda Mugam, Seetha, Mani Makutam, Nagamali Azhagi, Kandan Karunai, Saadu Mirandal, Thaimel Aanai, Kaalam Vellum, Annai Abirami, Thiruvarutchelvar, Karunthel Kannayiram, Kalangarai Vilakkam'' and ''Annamitta Kai''. Few films where they were not paired together include ''Server Sundaram, Madras to Pondicherry, Thillana Mohanambaal, Thiruvarul, Bommalattam'' and ''Nanbargal''. Nagesh rose to prominence through ''Server Sundaram'' (1964) for which he received praise for his evergreen comedy performances as a server in a hotel. The film was helmed by director duo Krishnan-Panchu and the screenplay had been written by K. Balachander. It also marked the first collaboration between Nagesh and K. Balachander. Since then it led to many successful collaborations between the two.


Resurgence

Kamal Haasan Parthasarathy Srinivasan (born 7 November 1954), known professionally as Kamal Haasan, is an Indian actor, filmmaker and politician who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. Considered as one of the most accomplished actors of Indian Cinema, Haas ...
again gave a brilliant role for Nagesh in the comedy flick '' Michael Madana Kama Rajan''. Nagesh played the dishonest secretary Avinashi, who commissions a look-alike, Kameswaran to impersonate his boss, Madan, and lend him money from Madan's account. During the shooting of ''Michael Madana Kama Rajan'', Nagesh felt disappointed and unhappy over his role as Avinashi and had also argued with Kamal Haasan. Nagesh had a good relationship with
Kamal Haasan Parthasarathy Srinivasan (born 7 November 1954), known professionally as Kamal Haasan, is an Indian actor, filmmaker and politician who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. Considered as one of the most accomplished actors of Indian Cinema, Haas ...
, with whom he had co-starred in a variety of movies between 1975 and the 2000s.
Kamal Haasan Parthasarathy Srinivasan (born 7 November 1954), known professionally as Kamal Haasan, is an Indian actor, filmmaker and politician who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. Considered as one of the most accomplished actors of Indian Cinema, Haas ...
cast Nagesh in most of his self-productions regularly.


Later years

Nagesh had a series of supporting roles in the 2000s. Notable among them were those of Vijay's grandfather in '' Poove Unakkaga'', Arjun's father in ''
Rhythm Rhythm (from Greek , ''rhythmos'', "any regular recurring motion, symmetry") generally means a " movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions". This general meaning of regular r ...
'',
Pawan Kalyan Konidela Pawan Kalyan (born Konidela Kalyan Kumar; 2 September 1971) is an Indian politician, actor, philanthropist, and martial artist serving as the List of deputy chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, 11th Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Prade ...
's Uncle Peddhananna in '' Toli Prema'', Madhavan's grandfather Subbuni in '' Minnale'', Ajith Kumar's Grandfather in '' Poovellam Un Vasam'', Father Rozario in '' Kadhal Kondain'', Srikanth's grandfather in ''Bose'', Silambarasan's grandfather in '' Saravana'', Jeeva's father in Pori and
Kamal Haasan Parthasarathy Srinivasan (born 7 November 1954), known professionally as Kamal Haasan, is an Indian actor, filmmaker and politician who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. Considered as one of the most accomplished actors of Indian Cinema, Haas ...
's father in '' Vasool Raja MBBS''. His handling of these roles gained him considerable appreciation from the public. Nagesh acted in Tamil films till a few months before his death in 2009. Notable among some of his later movies were '' Panchathanthiram'', '' Vasool Raja MBBS'', '' Imsai Arasan 23m Pulikesi'' and his last appearance, '' Dasavathaaram''. However, an animated version of him was seen in the 2014 performance capture film '' Kochadaiiyaan''.


Awards

* 1974 —
Kalaimamani The Kalaimamani is the highest civilian award in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. These awards are given by the ''Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram'' (literature, music and theatre), a unit of the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government ...
*
1994 The year 1994 was designated as the " International Year of the Family" and the "International Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal" by the United Nations. In the Line Islands and Phoenix Islands of Kiribati, 1994 had only 364 days, omitti ...
National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Nammavar * 1994 — Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for Nammavar *
1995 1995 was designated as: * United Nations Year for Tolerance * World Year of Peoples' Commemoration of the Victims of the Second World War This was the first year that the Internet was entirely privatized, with the United States government ...
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South


Death

Nagesh was a chain smoker and a heavy drinker. However, he gradually gave up these habits when he was dangerously ill during the period 1978–1982. His health began to decline in late 2008 due to progressive heart ailments. In November 2008, his health conditions further deteriorated when he slipped and fell down at his home which also resulted in a severe head injury. He died on 31 January 2009 at the age of 75 due to diabetes and a heart ailment.


Partial filmography


Tamil films


Telugu films


Malayalam films


Other language films

*''Note: not to be confused with the Kannada actor of the same name.''


Director


References


External links

* * in
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Nagesh Indian male film actors Tamil comedians Telugu comedians 1930s births 2009 deaths Kannada male actors Male actors in Tamil cinema Male actors in Kannada cinema Male actors in Malayalam cinema Best Supporting Actor National Film Award winners Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners Indian male comedians People from Tiruppur district 20th-century Indian male actors 21st-century Indian male actors Male actors from Tamil Nadu Male actors in Hindi cinema Male actors in Telugu cinema 20th-century Indian comedians