Nagesh (Tamil: நாகேஷ்) (born C. Krishna Rao Gundu Rao; 27 September 1933 – 31 January 2009), was a Tamil film actor, mostly remembered for his roles as a comedian during the 1960s. He is regarded as one of the most prolific comedians in Tamil cinema.
Nagesh was born in a Kannada family from Dharapuram, Erode. He was educated in Madras and worked as a clerk in the Indian Railways before entering Tamil film industry. He acted in over 1,000Indian films from 1958 to 2008, performing in variety of roles as comedian, lead roles, supporting actor and antagonist. He died on 31 January 2009.
In a stark contrast to the comic roles he performed, Nagesh’s personal life was wrought with suffering. After losing his father at an early age, Nagesh had to endure a weak financial situation and family ostracism which plagued him throughout his life. The film Server Sundaram, a rags to riches story in which Nagesh plays the lead role, is believed to be roughly based on the real life story of the actor.
Despite being primarily a comedian, Nagesh was rated highly as a character actor by his peers. Nagesh’s style of comedy was largely inspired by Hollywood actor Jerry Lewis. Similarities between Nagesh and Lewis earned Nagesh the sobriquet “Jerry Lewis of India”
Early Life
Nagesh was born as Gundu Rao to Krishna Rao and Rukmaniamma on 27 September 1933. His parents belonged to the Kannada-speaking Madhwa Brahmin community. It is believed that he was born in Dharapuram in Former Integrated Erode district, now changed to new Tirupur district.[1][3][4][5] His father died at an early age and the burden of educating Nagesh fell upon his mother. In his childhood, Nagesh was afflicted by small pox which slightly disfigured him.
He left Dharapuram at an early age and moved to Madras city in search of a career. At Madras, he shared a one-bedroom room with two others. His room mates, writer Vaali and director Sridhar, later became established themselves as prominent personalities in the Tamil cine field. He found employment as a clerk in the Indian Railways and was thus able to pay his rent and cope up with expenses.
Film Career
Early Career
Early in his life, he saw a Tamil play Kamba Ramayanam enacted by his colleagues, and felt that he could do a good job. He persuaded the secretary of the Railways 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.[6]
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. In 1960, Nagesh made his debut in Kannada with Makkala Rajya.
Nagesh won critical acclaim for his performance in the 1961 movie Thayilla Pillai. But it was his 1962 hit Nenjil Oru 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. 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…. still famous with youth.
Rise to Stardom
Server Sundaram marked Nagesh’s rise to prominence. The film was about a restaurant waiter “server” Sundaram who struggles to make his ends meet. He is in love with Radha (K. R. Vijaya), the daughter of the owner of the hotel in which he is working. The film is about how with the aid of his rich friend Raghavan (R. Muthuraman), “server” Sundaram gets a chance to act in movies and eventually, emerges as a rich and prominent actor. However, he is heartbroken when he learns that Radha is actually in love with Raghavan. While Nagesh drives viewers into laughter with his comical antics in the early scenes, his sensitive portrayal of a failed lover in the second half of the movie too earned widespread appreciation. The rags-to-riches story in the movie was actually based on Nagesh’s own life. With Server Sundaram, Nagesh earned critical acclaim for versatility.
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 for 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 as Kadhalikka Neramillai where he wants to direct a film under his own production house named OOH OOH PRODUCTIONS(but till climax he didn’t make film), Anbe Vaa, Shanthi Nilayam, Pattanathil Bhootham and Vietnam Veedu. He played the role of Mohan in Major Chandrakantwhich 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 was noted for the way in which Nagesh blended humour with villany. In most of his films as comedian, Nagesh paired with the actress Manorama. In 1967, Nagesh acted in his first Hindi movie Farz
Apart from performing in supporting roles, Nagesh also acted as the main protagonist in a number of movies. Server Sundaram is one of them. Another performance which is well-remembered is his role as the poor struggling orphan Maadhu in Ethir Neechal. His sensitive and sympathetic portrayal of Maadhu evoked comparisons with top character actors of the day. Jayakanthan chose Nagesh to play the lead in the 1966 filmYaarukkaha Azhudhan overlooking Sivaji Ganesan.
In the 1970 movie Navakiragam K Balachandar wanted to have Nagesh along with Manorama as his sidekick but Nagesh refused for the reason that he preferred to act without Manorama. Manorama was offended by this decision and refused to act with Nagesh ever since. In the movie “theepam” in the late 70’s, there was a scene where they both were together, but there was no dialogue exchange between the two.
Financial stress and Decline
Nagesh’s career witnessed a decline from the mid-1970s onwards. He was plagued by personal problems. His marriage to a Christian woman named Regina had fractured his relationship with his mother and other relatives. From the relationship, he had two sons, Ramesh Babu andAnand Babu, the latter going on to be actor plagued by personal problems in his career. In 1973, his mother died causing him irreparable grief. At about the same time, he had a fallout with Tamil actor and politician M. G. R. who omitted Nagesh from most of his films. Nagesh theatre owned by him in Chennai was on the verge of getting seized for non-payment of dues forcing Nagesh to patch up differences with M. G. R. who subsequently bailed him out. In order to cope up with the changing trends, Nagesh had to switch over to playing character roles full time.
Nagesh acted in a few movies during this period some of which were hits. One of his notable roles was that of a drunkard in the 1974 Kamal Hassan-starrer Apoorva Raagangal where he talks to his own shadow and hurls the empty glass upon it while saying “Cheers”. In the theaters where the film was shown the audience imitated him and threw cups on the wall of the lobby during interval. He played the role of writer Jayakanthan in the 1977 movie Sila Nerangalil Sila Manitharkal . Nagesh appeared as himself in Thillu Mullu, which was a remake of Gol Maal(1979), a Hindi film.
Resurgence
Nagesh’s career enjoyed a partial resurgence from the 1980s onwards when he acted in a number of movies, mostly in elderly roles, some of them as the villain. His most remembered role as a villain was in the 1989-hit Apoorva Sagodharargal. The movie was later dubbed into Hindi asAppu Raja. He also played the villain in Rajinikanth films Athisaya Piravi and Mounam Sammadham. His negative roles included sadisticschemers then muscular giants.
In the comedy flick, Michael Madana Kama Rajan, Nagesh played the role of a dishonest secretary Avinashi who commissions a look-alike Kameswaran to impersonate his boss, Madan, and lend him money from Madan’s account. He even acted as a dead body in the 1994 filmMagalir Mattum. He won a National Award for the Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1994 film Nammavar
Nagesh did a series of supporting roles in the 1990s and 2000s. Notable among them were those of make-up artist Joseph in Avvai Shanmugi in which he featured alongside another veteran Gemini Ganesan, Arjun’s father in Rhythm, Madhavan’s grandfather Subbuni in Minnale, Ajit’s Grandfather in Poovellam Un Vasam, Father Rozario in Kadhal Kondain and Kamal Hassan’s father in Vasool Raja MBBS. His handling of these roles gained him considerable appreciation from the public.
Nagesh had a good relationship with Kamal Hassan, with whom he had co-starred in a variety of movies from the 1970s to the 2000s. Kamal Hassan cast Nagesh in most of his self-productions. He also won the National Award for his supporting role as the Principal of a college troubled by rowdies, in the movie “Nammavar“. Kamal Hassan plays the role of a professor in this movie.
Later Years
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.
Death
Nagesh was a chain smoker and a heavy drinker in his early days. However, he gradually gave up his smoking and drinking habit when he was dangerously ill during the late 1970s and early 1980s. However, his health began to decline in late 2008 due to progressive heart ailments.
He died on 31 January 2009 at the age of 75 due to diabetes and a heart ailment while he was admitted in Balaji Hospital.
His final rituals was attended by all film actors including, Tamil Nadu ex-Chief Minister Ms. J. Jayalalitha, actor Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth,Manorama, Venkataramani, V.S. Raghavan and Y. G. Mahendran.
Nagesh Profile
Nagesh | |
Born | C. Krishna Rao Gundu Rao September 27, 1933 Dharapuram, Erode district,Madras Presidency[1], India |
Died | January 31, 2009 (aged 75) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
Occupation | Film actor |
Years active | 1958- 2009 |
Spouse | Regina [2] |
Children | Ramesh Babu, Anand Babu |
Awards | 1974 Kalamamani 1994 Nammavar Tamil Nadu State Government Award |
Nagesh Movies List
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
1958 | Manamulla Marudhaaram | ||
1960 | Pachai Vilakku | ||
Makkala Rajya | Kannada film | ||
1961 | Thayilla Pillai | ||
1962 | Nenjil Oru Aalayam | Ward boy | |
1963 | Madras To Pondicherry | ||
1964 | Server Sundaram | Sundaram | |
Navarathri | |||
Kadhalikka Neramillai | Chellappa | ||
1965 | Kuzhandhaiyum Deivamum | ||
Enga Veettu Pillai | |||
Thiruvilayadal | Dharumi | ||
Aayirathil Oruvan | |||
1966 | Nadodi | ||
Motor Sundaram Pillai | Saambu | ||
Anbe Vaa | Raamaiyaa | ||
Chiththi | Widower’s son | ||
Saraswati Sabatham | |||
1966 | Major Chandrakanth | Mohan | |
Yaarukkukaha Azhudhan | Joseph | ||
1967 | Jewel thief | ||
Aalayam | |||
Anubhavi Raja Anubhavi | Dual role | ||
Athey Kangal | |||
Bama Vijayam | Krishnan | ||
Bhavani | |||
Engalukkum Kaalam Varum | |||
Farz | Hindi film | ||
Iru Malargal | |||
Pattanathil Bhootham | cheenu | ||
1968 | Ethir Neechal | Maadhu | |
Ragasiya Police 115 | |||
Soaappu Seeppu Kannadi | |||
Thamarai Nenjam | |||
Thillana Mohanambal | Vaidhy | ||
1969 | Shanti Nilayam | ||
Adimai Penn | |||
1970 | Vietnam Veedu | ||
Enga Mama | |||
1971 | Nootrukku Nooru | ||
1972 | Papam Pasivadu | Pilot | |
Vasantha Maaligai | |||
1975 | Apoorva Raagangal | ||
Soggadu | Sanyasi Rao | ||
1976 | Manushulanta Okkate | Ganapathi | |
Vaanga Sambandhi Vaanga | |||
Uthaman | |||
Uzhaikkum Karangal | |||
Unakkaaga Naan | |||
Aatukaara Alamelu | |||
Thaayilla Kuzhandhai | |||
1977 | Indradhanusu | ||
Aasai Manaivi | |||
Sri Krishna leela | kuselan | ||
Meenava Nanban | |||
Swargam naragam | |||
Deepam | |||
1978 | Oru Nadigai Naadagam Paarkiraal | ||
Sila nerangalil sila manithargal | |||
Thripurasundari | |||
Rudrathaandavam | |||
Thaayagam | |||
Varuvaan Vadivelan | |||
Raadhaiketha kannan | |||
1979 | Dhairiyalakshmi | ||
Veettukku Veedu Vaasappadi | |||
Velliratham | |||
Neelamalargal | |||
Annai Oru Aalayam | |||
1980 | Natchathiram | ||
Sujatha | |||
Enga Vathiyaar | |||
Adhirshtakaaran | |||
Bhama Rukmani | |||
1981 | Valarthu Mirugangal | Naanu | |
Thillu Mullu | As himself | Cameo | |
Gadasari Attaha Sosagara Kodalu | |||
Arumbugal | |||
Devudu Mamayya | |||
Kadal Meengal | |||
Kondavetti Simham | |||
1982 | Justice Chowdhury | ||
Amarakaaviyam | |||
Kalthoon | |||
Vaa Kanna Vaa | |||
1983 | Thookumedai | ||
Mohanapunnagai | |||
1984 | Magudi | ||
Thenkoodu | |||
1985 | Padikkadhavan | ||
priyamudan prabhu | |||
1986 | Karu Diddina Kapuram | ||
Maaveeran | |||
Paadum Vaanampaadi | |||
1987 | Kachchi Kali | ||
cooliekaaran | |||
1989 | Apoorva Sagodharargal | Dharmaraj | |
Indrudu Chandrudu | |||
Raja Rajathaan | |||
Mounam Sammadham | |||
1990 | Athisaya Piravi | ||
Engal Swamy Ayyappan | |||
Pudhu Pudhu Raagangal | |||
1991 | Michael Madana Kama Rajan | Avinashi | |
Raja Kaiya Vechaa | |||
Cheran Pandiyan | |||
Nanbargal | |||
Thalapathi | |||
Gopura Vaasalile | |||
Putham Pudhu Payanam | |||
1992 | Allari Mogudu | ||
Thambi Pondaatti | |||
Purushan Enakku Arasan | |||
Rickshaw Mama | |||
Brindavanam | |||
1993 | Madam | ||
Kattabomman | |||
1994 | Magalir Mattum | A dead body | |
Gandeevam | |||
Brahmachari Mogudu | |||
Nammavar | |||
1995 | Marumagan | ||
Kizhakkumalai | |||
1996 | Avvai Shanmugi | Joseph | |
Aayudha Poojai | |||
1997 | Pagaivan | ||
Poochooda Vaa | |||
Raasi | |||
Thadayam | |||
1998 | Tholi Prema | ||
Desiya Geetham | |||
Subhakankshalu | |||
Kaadhala Kaadhala | Chokkalingam | ||
2000 | Rhythm | Kathikeyan’s father | |
2001 | Minnale | Subbuni | |
Poovellam Un Vasam | |||
2002 | Panchathanthiram | Parthasarathy | |
2003 | Kadhal Kondain | ||
2004 | Vasool Raja MBBS | Sriman Venkatraman | |
2006 | Saravana | ||
Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi | Mokkayappar | ||
2008 | Dasavathaaram | Sheikh |