Nagesh

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.^[5]

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.^[6]

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 the legendary 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...", written by Vaali was a big hit.

Rise to stardom

Server Sundaram marked Nagesh's rise to prominence. The film was about a restaurant waiter, "server" Sundaram, who struggles to make 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 drove viewers to 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.^[7]

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.^[8] 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 the role of 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 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.

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 film Yaarukkaha Azhudhan, overlooking Sivaji Ganesan.

Manorama was paired with Nagesh regularly in films with M.G. Ramachandran as lead between 1960 to 1970 such as Thaali Bagyam, Vettaikaran, En Kadamai, Kanni Thai, Thayin Madiyil, Kadhal Vaganam, Chandrodhyam, Anbe Vaa, Padagotti, Panathotaam, Kaavalkaran, Kadhal Vagahnam, Vivasaaye, Thaikku Thalaimagan, Ther Thiruvizha, 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. He played a negative character in Iru Thuruvam in 1971. He has a double role in Kai Naraya Kaasu, wherein one character was evil and the other one innocent.

Cho acted alongside Nagesh in Thenmazhai, Ninaivil Nindraval, Ulagam Ivvalavudhaan and Bommalattam and each of them were box office hits. His critically acclaimed memorable performances were in films such as Anubhavi Raja Anubhavi, Server Sundaram, Ninivail Nindraval, Thenmazhai, Rudra Thandavam, Chinnan Jiru Ulagam, Vairagiyam, Punnagai, Engal Vaadhiyar, Enna Mudhalali Sowkiyamma, Kai Naraya Kaasu, Soap Seepu Kannadi, Then Kinnam, Kalyana Oorvalam, Neerkumizhi, Major Chandrakanth and Kalahala Kapuram. He was paired with Rama Prabha in Pudhiya Bhoomi, Shanti Nilayam and also in another 12 films in Telugu. He was paired with Geethanjali in Panam Padaithavan and Sanagamam. He was paired with Ammakutti Pushpamala in Ragasiya Police 115. He was paired with K.R. Vijaya in many films such as Server Sundaram, Kalyana Oorvalam and Dasavatharam.

Actress Sachu was paired with Nagesh in films such as Kadhalikka Neram Illai, Kettikaran, Penn Deivam, Thunaivan, Patham Pasali, Sorgam, Athhaiya Mamiya and Vandha Marumagal. Actress Madhavi Krishnan was paired opposite Nagesh in Pannakara Kudumbam, Periya Edathu Penn, Aayirathil Oruvan, Arasa Kattalai, Enga Veettu Pillai, Naan and Adhey Kangal. His comedy was appreciated in films such as Parisu, Dheiva Thai, Kudiyirudha Koyil, Nawab Narkali, Veetuku Vandha Marumagal, Selva Magal, Nadodi, Aayiram Roobai and Naan Annaiyittal.

In the 1970 movie Navakiragam, K. Balachandar wanted to have Nagesh along with Manorama as his sidekick, but Nagesh refused, preferring to act without Manorama. Manorama was offended by this decision and has refused to act with Nagesh ever since. MGR did bring them together as the pair for one last time in Annamitta Kai in 1972. In the movies Raman Thediya Seethai, Kann Malar, Gomatha En Kulamatha, Anbe Aayure, Thygaam, Dheepam, Rudra Thandavam and Baghdad Perazhagi in the 1970s, there were scenes where they both were together, but there was no dialogue exchange between the two. However, with time, the relations between the two became normal by 1985 and the two acted in Micheal Madana Kamarajan in 1990 and Imisai Arasan23am Pulikesi.

Financial stress and decline in offers (1973-1977)

After ruining the chance of Manorama to be in K. Balachandar's movie Navagragam in 1970, and due to rumours of decline of his friendship with MGR, certain sections of people started avoiding giving him roles. His financial problems evolved and his acting chances declined, as the producers feared to offer him parts in their movies as he had turned to drinking. 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 three sons, Anand Babu, Ramesh Babu and Rajesh Babu, the first son going on to be an actor plagued by personal problems in his career. In 1973, his mother died causing him irreparable grief. The Nagesh theatre he owned in Chennai was on the verge of being seized for non-payment of dues. After Nagesh cleared the misunderstanding with MGR in 1972, he received offers from MGR to act again in his movies, in comedy roles, with the condition that he would not repeat his earlier mistakes. That's how Nagesh's career revived with films of MGR such as Ulagam Sutrum Valiban, Nalla Neram, Nalai Namadhe, Naan Yen Pirandhen, Uzhaikkum Karangale, Meenava Nanban and Urimai Kural. But after MGR became Chief Minister, the producers again started ignoring Nagesh.

Nagesh acted in a few movies during this period, however as his talent was still the same, most of them were hits - Kalyanan Oorvalam, Anbe Aayure, Engalukkum Kadhal Varum, Thiruvarul, Pattampoochi, Payanam, Maharasi Vazhga, Dr. Siva, Dheepam, Ilaya Thalaimurai, Murugan Adimai and Nee Vazha Vendum. One of his notable roles was 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 theatres 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.

Resurgence

Nagesh's career enjoyed a resurgence from 1978 onwards when he acted in a number of movies. Nagesh appeared as himself in Thillu Mullu, which was remake of Gol Maal (1979), a Hindi film. From 1978 onwards, his performances in films such as Varuvan Vadivelan, Adhirstakaran, Nizhal Nijamagiradhu, Oru Nadigai Nadagam Paarkiral, Gnana Kuzhandhai, Azhage Unnai Aarathikkiren, Bhama Rukmani, Amara Kaviyam, Vaa Kanna Vaa, Aayiram Nilave Vaa, Kalthoon, Kadal Meengal, Mohana Punnagai, Then Koodu, Paartha Gnabagam Illayo, Padikkadavan, Maaveeran, Cooliekkaran, Ivargal Varungala Thoongal and Makkal En Pakkam were appreciated. Right from the start of his career, he was known for doing clean comedy acts. He wanted to do only clean comedy roles even in the period between 1980 to 1988, when many other comedians were doing slapstick low quality comedy characters in the films and hence he chose to accept very few roles in this period. He was in the lead roles again with Rudra Thandavam and Engal Vadhiyar. He started accepting roles of elderly people as well. He also directed the film Paartha Gnabagam Illayo in 1985. It was then when Kamal Haasan gave him a break with his project Apoorva Sagodharargal. This movie was a massive hit. Nagesh's villainous role was much appreciated. Nobody ever thought that Kamal Haasan could design a villainous role for an actor like Nagesh, that too after Nagesh had crossed the age of 55 in 1988. The movie was later dubbed into Hindi as Appu Raja. He also played the villain in the Rajinikanth films Athisaya Piravi and Mounam Sammadham. His negative roles included sadistic schemers, then muscular giants.

Kamal Haasan again gave a brilliant role for Nagesh in the comedy flick Michael Madana Kama Rajan. Nagesh played the role of the dishonest secretary Avinashi, who commissions a look-alike, Kameswaran to impersonate his boss, Madan, and lend him money from Madan's account. He even played a cadaver in Kamal Haasan's 1994 film Magalir Mattum. His journey with Kamal Haasan continued. Director Priyadarshan gave Nagesh a good role in Gopura Vasalile. Nagesh was very selective of the projects he did from 1990s. His performances in Indrudu Chandrudu, Pudhu Pudhu Ragangal, Raja Kaiya Vacha, Cheran Pandiyan, Thalapathi, Putham Pudhu Payanam, Purushan Enakku Arasan, Rickshaw Mama, Amma Ponnu, Nammavar, Marumagan, Gandeevam, Poove Unakkaga, Pagaivan, Thadayam, Ayudha Poojai, Poove Unakkagaand Desiya Geetham were appreciated in the 1990s.

Nagesh had a good relationship with Kamal Haasan, with whom he had co-starred in a variety of movies between 1975 to the 2000s. Kamal Haasan cast Nagesh in most of his self-productions regularly.^[9] He also won the National Award for his supporting role as the principal of a college troubled by rowdies, in the movie "Nammavar". Kamal Haasan plays the role of a professor in this movie. His role as the make-up artist Joseph in the Kamal Haasan starrer Avvai Shanmugi, in which he featured alongside another veteran, Gemini Ganesan, was also appreciated. Cho and Nagesh again appeared together in Adhisiya Peravi and Kadhala Kadhala.

Later years

Nagesh did a series of supporting roles in the 2000s. Notable among them were those of Arjun's father in Rhythm, Pawan Kalyan'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 (film), Silambarasan's grandfather in Saravana, Jeeva's father in Pori and Kamal Haasan'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.^[10][11]

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s