1. Nagesh acted in over 1,000 films from 1958 to 2008, performing in a variety of roles as comedian, lead roles, supporting actor and antagonist.
22 Facts About Nagesh
1. 2.
Nagesh has acted in Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi and Kannada films.
3.
Nagesh was nicknamed as the King of Comedy due to his impeccable comedy timing and body language.
4.
Nagesh featured regularly in the film projects of M G Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan even at a time when there was a massive rift between the two leading actors in Tamil cinema at that time.
5.
Nagesh 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.
6.
Nagesh left Dharapuram at an early age and moved to Madras city in search of a career.
7.
Nagesh persuaded the secretary of the railway's cultural association to give him the role of a man suffering from stomach pain.
8.
In 1958, producer Balaji spotted Nagesh and gave him his first break in a film called Manamulla Marudhaaram.
9.
Nagesh won critical acclaim for his performance in the 1961 movie Thayilla Pillai.
10.
The success of Server Sundaram ensured that Nagesh was one of the most sought-after actors in the 1960s.
11.
Nagesh appeared in a cameo in the 1965 mythological Thiruvilayadal, in which he portrayed the poor, simpleton temple priest Dharumi.
12.
Nagesh 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, Anbe Vaa, Shanthi Nilayam, Pattanathil Bhootham and Vietnam Veedu.
13.
In most of his comic films, Nagesh paired with the actress Manorama.
14.
In 1967, Nagesh acted in his first Hindi movie, Farz.
15.
Nagesh rose to prominence through Server Sundaram for which he received praise for his evergreen comedy performances as a server in a hotel.
16.
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.
17.
Nagesh had a good relationship with Kamal Haasan, with whom he had co-starred in a variety of movies between 1975 and the 2000s.
18.
Nagesh had a series of supporting roles in the 2000s.
19.
Nagesh's handling of these roles gained him considerable appreciation from the public.
20.
Nagesh acted in Tamil films till a few months before his death in 2009.
21.
Nagesh's health began to decline in late 2008 due to progressive heart ailments.
22.
Nagesh died on 31 January 2009 at the age of 75 due to diabetes and a heart ailment.