Veteran comedian Nagesh dead

Veteran comedian Nagesh, who acted in more than 600 films in a career spanning 40 years, died here on Saturday.
Veteran comedian Nagesh dead

CHENNAI: Veteran comedian Nagesh, who acted in more than 600 films in a career spanning 40 years, died here on Saturday. He was 76. He is survived by three sons, actor Anand Babu, Ramesh Babu and Rajesh Babu.

 The actor, who was last seen in 'Dasavathaaram', had not been keeping good health since November last when he slipped and fell down at his house and sustained a head injury. He never completely recovered and found it difficult to speak.

 Things took a turn for the worse on Friday night when he complained of breathlessness and was taken to a private hospital. He was brought home the same night, but the pain recurred this morning and he died on the way to hospital. He will be cremated at the Besant Nagar crematorium on Sunday.

Nagesh’s first film was Server Sundaram in 1964 which was a blockbuster. Nagesh also acted in films starring  screen-legends MGR and Sivaji Ganesan  holding his own  against these superstars.

A recipient of several awards including the  state-conferred Kalaimamani.  Nagesh acted in films of other languages including Telugu. Starting his career in drama troupes Nagesh went on to play many roles and was paired opposite comedienne Manorama in several films. He was also a good dancer.

The actor’s serious roles in films like Ethirneechal where he played a bright but poor student dependent on others for a livelihood and that of a cancer patient in  Neerkumizhi were well-received by audience and critics alike.

Nagesh has starred with three generations of actors.  Beginning with MGR and Sivaji he acted with Rajnikanth and Kamal Hassan and later went on to share Screen space with current heartthrobs Vijay and Ajit Kumar.In his later years Nagesh starred in a few films and was  a regular in most of Kamal Hassan movies.

The two had acted together in films which included  Michael Madana Kama Rajan Apoorva Sagotharargal, Avvai Shanmugi and Panchathanthiram.

His role as a dead terrorist being transported by  women protagonists in Kamal Hassan’s home production  Magalir Mattum earned him accolades.

The actor played himself in Rajnikant-starrer Thillu Mullu the Tamil version of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Hindi movie Golmaal  .

Nagesh also acted in Vijay-starrer Poove Unakkaga and Ajit’s Poovellam Un Vasam. Nagesh leaves behind a rich legacy of acting especially as a comedian.

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