Nagesh Filmography
Nagesh, originally Cheyur Krishnarao Nageshwaran, born on September 27, 1933, in Dharapuram, Tamil Nadu, India, remains an unforgettable icon in Indian cinema, renowned for his exceptional comedic prowess and versatile acting. His illustrious career spanned over five decades, during which he made an indelible mark through his distinctive roles in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada films.
Source: News18
Early Life and Entry into Cinema
Born to Kannadiga Hindu parents, Krishnan Rao and Rukmani Ammal, Nagesh’s early life was rooted in Dharapuram. His journey into cinema began serendipitously when he moved to Madras (now Chennai) in pursuit of a career, initially working as a clerk in the Indian Railways. His interest in acting blossomed after watching a Tamil play, where he convinced the Railway Cultural Association to give him a role, impressing none other than MGR (M.G. Ramachandran), who lauded his performance.
Rise to Prominence
Nagesh’s breakthrough came in the early 1960s, notably with his role in “Nenjil Or Aalayam” (1962), which garnered critical acclaim and marked a turning point in his career. However, it was the film “Server Sundaram” (1964) that catapulted him to stardom. Directed by Krishnan-Panju and based on K. Balachander’s play, the movie showcased Nagesh as “Server” Sundaram, a waiter aspiring to become an actor, highlighting his impeccable comic timing and expressive body language.
The King of Comedy
Known as the “Jerry Lewis of India,” Nagesh earned accolades for his ability to blend humor with pathos, drawing inspiration from Hollywood’s Jerry Lewis. His nuanced performances in films such as “Thillana Mohanambal” (1967), where he portrayed the detestable yet comical character of Vaidhy, further solidified his reputation as Tamil cinema’s “King of Comedy.” His partnership with actress Manorama in numerous films added to his comedic brilliance, creating unforgettable on-screen chemistry.
Philanthropy and Personal Life
Despite his on-screen persona, Nagesh was known for his simplicity and humility off-screen. He received several accolades during his career, including the Kalaimamani Award in 1974 and the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Nammavar” (1994). His contributions to cinema were further recognized with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South in 1995.
Tamil films
Year | Film | Role | |
---|---|---|---|
1958 | Manamulla Maruthaaram | ||
1959 | Thamarai Kulam | ||
1959 | Uthami Petra Rathinam | ||
1961 | Thayilla Pillai | ||
1962 | Nenjil Or Aalayam | Ward boy | |
1962 | Annai | ||
1962 | Deivathin Deivam | ||
1963 | Panathottam | Ramu | |
1963 | Periya Idathu Penn | Arulappan alias Pitamdhi | |
1963 | Naanum Oru Penn | ||
1963 | Nenjam Marappathillai | ||
1963 | Naan Vanangum Deivam | ||
1964 | Vettaikkaran | ||
1964 | Kaadhalikka Neramillai | Chellappa | |
1964 | Pachai Vilakku | ||
1964 | Panakkara Kudumbam | Raman | |
1964 | Dheiva Thaai | Vidwan Sargunam | |
1964 | Padagotti | ||
1964 | Navarathri | ||
1964 | Server Sundaram | Sundaram | |
1965 | Aayirathil Oruvan | Alagan | |
1965 | Aasai Mugam | Sankara | |
1965 | Anandi | Thambi Durai | |
1965 | Enga Veettu Pillai | Govindhan | |
1965 | Kakkum Karangal | Soma Sundaram | |
1965 | Kalangarai Vilakkam | Vasu | |
1965 | Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum | Sundaram | |
1965 | Neerkumizhi | Sethu | |
1965 | Thaayum Magalum | ||
1965 | Poojaikku Vandha Malar | Panju | |
1965 | Thiruvilayadal | Dharumi | |
1965 | Vaazhkai Padagu | ||
1966 | Anbe Vaa | Ramaiah | |
1966 | Chitthi | Widower’s son | |
1966 | Naam Moovar | ||
1966 | Madras to Pondicherry | Conductor | |
1966 | Major Chandrakanth | Mohan | |
1966 | Motor Sundaram Pillai | Saambu | |
1966 | Nadodi | Valippu Manickam | |
1966 | Naan Aanaiyittal | ||
1966 | Sadhu Mirandal | Kabali, Taxi driver | |
1966 | Saraswati Sabatham | ||
1966 | Thenmazhai | Venu | |
1966 | Yaarukkukaha Azhudhan | Joseph | |
1967 | Aalayam | ||
1967 | Adhey Kangal | ||
1967 | Anubavi Raja Anubavi | Thangamuthu and Manikkam | |
1967 | Bama Vijayam | Krishnan | |
1967 | Bhavani | ||
1967 | Engalukkum Kaalam Varum | ||
1967 | Iru Malargal | Principal | |
1967 | Arasa Kattalai | ||
1967 | Kaavalkaran | ||
1967 | Ninaivil Nindraval | Dr. Thirupathy | |
1967 | Ooty Varai Uravu | Balu | |
1967 | Madi Veettu Mapillai | Sankaran | |
1967 | Pattanathil Bhootham | Cheenu | |
1967 | Vivasayee | Chokkan | |
1968 | Andru Kanda Mugam | Subbusamy | |
1968 | Ethir Neechal | Maadhu | |
1968 | Deiveega Uravu | Manikkam | |
1968 | Galatta Kalyanam | Chandran | |
1968 | Jeevanaamsam | Advocate Ramanujam | |
1968 | Kudiyiruntha Kovil | ||
1968 | Panakkara Pillai | Mani | |
1968 | Pudhiya Boomi | ||
1968 | Ragasiya Police 115 | ||
1968 | Soaappu Seeppu Kannadi | Madhusudhanan a.k.a. Madhu | |
1968 | Thamarai Nenjam | Narayanan | |
1968 | Thillana Mohanambal | Vaithi | |
1968 | Kadhal Vaaganam | Doctor | |
1968 | En Thambi | Sabapathy | |
1969 | Thanga Surangam | Mani | |
1969 | Poova Thalaiya | Nagesh | |
1969 | Subha Dinam | Raja bathar | |
1969 | Deiva Magan | ||
1969 | Nam Naadu | Govindha | |
1969 | Shanti Nilayam | ||
1969 | Ponnu Mappillai | ||
1970 | Vietnam Veedu | ||
1970 | Anadhai Anandhan | ||
1970 | Kann Malar | ||
1970 | Ethiroli | ||
1970 | Maanavan | Ramu | |
1970 | Veetukku Veedu | ||
1971 | Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa | ||
1971 | Nootrukku Nooru | ||
1971 | Kettikaran | ||
1971 | Veguli Penn | ||
1971 | Irulum Oliyum | ||
1971 | Annai Velankanni | Kannaiah | |
1971 | Sabatham | Shanmugam | |
1971 | Thirumagal | Subbusamy | |
1971 | Then Kinnam | Mohan | |
1972 | Pillaiyo Pillai | ||
1972 | Punnagai | ||
1972 | Ganga | ||
1972 | Vasantha Maligai | ||
1972 | Raman Thediya Seethai | ||
1973 | Ulagam Sutrum Valiban | ||
1973 | Komatha En Kulamatha | ||
1974 | Paruva Kaalam | ||
1974 | Gumasthavin Magal | ||
1975 | Pattampoochi | Vadivelu | |
1975 | Apoorva Raagangal | Suri / Hari | |
1976 | Manushulanta Okkate | Ganapathi | |
1976 | Vaanga Sambandhi Vaanga | ||
1976 | Uzhaikkum Karangal | ||
1976 | Unakkaga Naan | ||
1976 | Aattukara Alamelu | ||
1976 | Thaayilla Kuzhandhai | ||
1976 | Naalai Namadhe | ||
1977 | Aasai Manaivi | ||
1977 | Sri Krishna Leela | Kuselan | |
1977 | Meenava Nanban | ||
1977 | Ilaya Thalaimurai | Sharma | |
1977 | Swargam Naragam | ||
1977 | Dheepam | ||
1978 | Oru Nadigai Natakam Parkiral | ||
1978 | Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal | ||
1978 | Thripurasundari | ||
1978 | Rudhra Thaandavam | Ponnambalam | |
1978 | Thaayagam | ||
1978 | Varuvaan Vadivelan | ||
1978 | Raadhaiketha Kannan | ||
1979 | Dhairiyalakshmi | ||
1979 | Velliratham | ||
1979 | Azhage Unnai Aarathikkiren | Victor | |
1979 | Neela Malargal | ||
1979 | Annai Oru Aalayam | Himself | |
1980 | Natchathiram | ||
1980 | Sujatha | ||
1980 | Enga Vathiyaar | ||
1980 | Anbukku Naan Adimai | ||
1980 | Polladhavan | ||
1980 | Adhirshtakaaran | ||
1980 | Bhama Rukmani | ||
1981 | Thillu Mullu | Himself | |
1981 | Arumbugal | ||
1981 | Devudu Mamayya | ||
1981 | Amarakaaviyam | ||
1981 | Kadal Meengal | ||
1982 | Kalthoon | ||
1982 | Vaa Kanna Vaa | ||
1983 | Thookumedai | ||
1983 | Mohana Punnagai | ||
1984 | Magudi | ||
1984 | Thenkoodu | ||
1985 | Padikkaadhavan | ||
1985 | Priyamudan Prabhu | ||
1986 | Maaveeran | Raja’s mother | |
1986 | Paadum Vaanampaadi | ||
1987 | Cooliekkaran | Velu | |
1987 | Ivargal Varungala Thoongal | ||
1989 | Apoorva Sagodharargal | Dharmaraj | |
1989 | Raja Rajathaan | ||
1989 | Mounam Sammadham | ||
1990 | Athisaya Piravi | ||
1990 | Engal Swamy Ayyappan | ||
1990 | Pudhu Pudhu Ragangal | ||
1991 | Michael Madana Kama Rajan | Avinashi | |
1991 | Raja Kaiya Vacha | ||
1991 | Cheran Pandiyan | ||
1991 | Nanbargal | ||
1991 | Thalapathi | ||
1991 | Gopura Vasalile | ||
1991 | Putham Pudhu Payanam | ||
1992 | Thambi Pondatti | ||
1992 | Purushan Enakku Arasan | ||
1992 | Rickshaw Mama | ||
1993 | Enga Thambi | Muthu | |
1993 | Amma Ponnu | Vathiyar | |
1993 | Kattabomman | ||
1994 | Magalir Mattum | A dead body | |
1994 | Nammavar | Prabhakar Rao | |
1995 | Marumagan | ||
1995 | Kizhakkumalai | ||
1995 | Ayudha Poojai | ||
1996 | Poove Unakkaga | Stephen | |
1996 | Meendum Savithri | ||
1996 | Kandaen Seethayae | ||
1996 | Avvai Shanmugi | Joseph | |
1997 | Raasi | ||
1997 | Pagaivan | ||
1997 | Thadayam | ||
1997 | Poochudavaa | ||
1998 | Desiya Geetham | ||
1998 | Kaathala Kaathala | Chokkalingam | |
2000 | Rhythm | Karthikeyan’s father | |
2001 | Minnale | Subramani | |
2001 | Poovellam Un Vasam | Chinna’s grandfather | |
2002 | Panchathanthiram | Parthasarathy | |
2002 | Bala | Annachi | |
2003 | Kadhal Kondain | Church Father | |
2003 | Indru Mudhal | ||
2004 | Vasool Raja MBBS | Sriman Venkatraman | |
2004 | Bose | Bose’s grandfather | |
2006 | Saravana | Saravana’s grandfather | |
2006 | Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei | Raja Mokkaiyappar | |
2007 | Pori | Hari’s father | |
2007 | Nenjai Thodu | ||
2008 | Dasavathaaram | Sheikh | |
2014 | Kochadaiiyaan | Uncle of Ranadheeran and Senadheeran |
Telugu films
Year | Film | Role | |
---|---|---|---|
1966 | Mohini Bhasmasura | Devotee of Vishnu | |
1972 | Papam Pasivadu | Pilot | |
1973 | Manchi Vallaki Manchivadu | Obaiah | |
Doctor Babu | Special appearance | ||
1975 | Soggadu | Sanyasi Rao | |
1976 | Aadavalu Apanindhalu | ||
Thoorpu Padamara | Shivaranjani’s family doctor | ||
1977 | Savasagallu | ||
Gadusu Pillodu | Kailasam | ||
1978 | Indradhanussu | Chakram | |
Pottelu Punnamma | Varadhachari | ||
1979 | Allari Vayasu | Gopi | |
Sri Rama Bantu | Lord Hanuman | ||
Vetagadu | Ponnusamy | ||
Oka Challani Rathri | Dr. Rao | ||
Urvasi Neeve Naa Preyasi | Victor | ||
1980 | Mayadari Krishnudu | ||
1981 | Kondaveeti Simham | Sitapati | |
Gadasari Attaha Sosagara Kodalu | |||
1982 | Justice Chowdhury | ||
Doctor Cine Actor | |||
Nivuru Gappina Nippu | |||
1983 | Muddula Mogudu | Simham | |
Amarajeevi | Babu | ||
Sri Ranga Neethulu | Dr. Sundara Murthy | ||
1984 | Kode Trachu | Rambabu | |
Koteeswarudu | Little Boss | ||
Sahasame Jeevitham | Babu Rao | ||
Anubandham | Tata Rao | ||
Kanchu Kagada | Jaggu | ||
1985 | Prachanda Bhairavi | Kodandam | |
Sri Katna Leelalu | Panganamalu | ||
Bhale Tammudu | Siva Rao | ||
1986 | Car Diddina Kapuram | Pulla Rao | |
1987 | Rowdy Babai | ||
Thene Manasulu | Seshu | ||
1989 | Indrudu Chandrudu | Minister | |
1991 | Sathruvu | Sambaya | |
Vidhata | Somasundaram | ||
1993 | Allari Mogudu | Sivasamba Deekshutulu | |
Pattudala | |||
Brundavanam | Perumallu | ||
1994 | Madam | Rayudu | |
Gandeevam | Idea Appa Rao | ||
Brahmachari Mogudu | |||
1996 | Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam | ||
Neti Savithri | |||
1998 | Tholi Prema | Balu’s uncle | |
Subhakankshalu | Stephen | ||
2000 | Maa Pelliki Randi | ||
Balaram | Rao Bahadur Lakshmi Varaprasad |
Malayalam films
Year | Film | Role | |
---|---|---|---|
1977 | Aparadhi | ||
1981 | Valarthu Mrigangal | Naanu | |
Sreeman Sreemathi | Subbaraman | ||
1993 | O’ Faby | Muthusaami | |
1996 | Swarnachamaram | Unreleased |
Hindi films
Year | Film | |
---|---|---|
1967 | Farz | |
Jewel Thief | ||
1987 | Kachchi Kali |
Kannada films
Year | Film | |
---|---|---|
1993 | Gadibidi Ganda | |
2000 | Preethsu Thappenilla |
Director
Year | Title | |
---|---|---|
1985 | Paartha Gnabagam Illayo |
Versatility and Impact
Nagesh’s career spanned a wide spectrum of roles, from lead characters to supporting roles and even antagonists. He effortlessly transitioned between genres and styles, appearing in over 1,000 films across different languages. His versatility was evident in his portrayal of Mohan in “Major Chandrakanth” (1966), where his performance contributed significantly to the film’s success and earned him widespread acclaim.
Collaboration and Legacy
Throughout his career, Nagesh collaborated with legendary actors spanning generations. He starred alongside icons like MGR and Sivaji Ganesan in the 1960s, Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth in the 1980s, and Vijay and Ajith in later years, showcasing his enduring appeal and adaptability across different cinematic eras.
Enduring Legacy and Demise
Nagesh’s legacy transcends his cinematic achievements. He was deeply cherished for his profound impact on Tamil cinema. His ability to evoke laughter and emotion with equal finesse endeared him to audiences across generations. Sadly, Nagesh passed away on January 31, 2009, at the age of 75, due to complications arising from diabetes and heart ailments, leaving behind a rich cinematic legacy that continues to inspire and entertain.
Later Years and Recognition
In the latter part of his career, Nagesh continued to impress audiences with his memorable roles in films such as “Michael Madana Kama Rajan” (1990), where he played the role of Avinashi, a character that displayed his versatility beyond comedy. His performances in films like “Panchathanthiram” (2002), “Vasool Raja MBBS” (2004), and his final appearance in “Dasavathaaram” (2008) reaffirmed his status as a timeless actor capable of captivating audiences till his last days.
Nagesh’s contribution to Indian cinema, particularly Tamil cinema, is unparalleled. His mastery of comedy, coupled with his versatility as an actor, ensured that he remained a cherished figure throughout his career. Nagesh’s ability to infuse humor with humanity and depth in his performances set him apart as a true artist. His films continue to strike a chord with audiences, showcasing his lasting influence on Indian popular culture. Nagesh’s legacy lives on in the hearts of fans and admirers, perpetuating his status as one of the greatest comedic talents in the history of Indian cinema.