Nagesh: Comedy King of Tamil Cinema
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
“Naghaichchuvai Mannan” (King of Comedy) Nagesh passed away in Chennai today (Jan 31st 2009).While eating breakfast he got chest pain and was taken to hospital where he breathed his last. Nagesh was 75.
He was the undisputed king of comedians in Tamil cinema from the early sixties to mid-seventies of the previous century. After a “lull” the versatile actor re-entered Tamil cinema in a new “avatar” playing character and villain roles. Even during his stint as comedian, Nagesh acted in quite a few lead roles too.
News of his death revives nostalgic memories of the golden era of Tamil cinema.Those of us who grew up on a steady diet of Tamil films can never forget the man and his acting.
The first Nagesh starring movie that I saw was “Nenjil Or Aalayam” directed by the legendaruy CV Sridhar who also passed away last year. Nagesh played Peter a male nurse in a hospital.
The last Nagesh movie I saw was “Dasavatharam” with Kamal Hassan essaying ten roles. In that Nagesh played a venerable Muslim elder Sheik Mukthar. He acted as father of the giant “Kamal”.
Between “Nenjil Or Aalayam” and “Dasavatharam” I have seen hundreds of films with Nagesh. How much we enjoyed his scenes and laughed. How many times would we have imitated and mimicked those scenes later. For those happy memories “Nandri Nagesh”! [click here to, Read more and see videos on ~ Nagesh: Comedy King of Tamil Cinema dbsjeyaraj.com]
