Today marks the 88th birth anniversary of the vintage comedy actor Nagesh. The late comedian is has performed a variety of roles as comedian, lead roles, supporting actor and antagonist. He died on 31 January 2009 at the age of 75 due to diabetes and a heart ailment.

Ulaga Naayagan Kamal Haasan has shared screen space with the senior actor in many of his films. Kamal considers Nagesh as a mentor and friend. Now, the actor-turned-politician has put out an official release stating that Nagesh never got the deserving recognition for his contribution to Indian Cinema. He asks the state government to honour the late artist.

In the press release, Makkal Needhi Maiam's leader said, "Nagesh is one of the important actors in Indian Cinema who has made a separate mark for himself in the comedy genre. He has delighted the Tamil people by acting in over 1000 films. Nagesh earned the sobriquets 'Jerry Lewis of India' and 'Charlie Chaplin of Tamil Nadu' from the media."

"From 'Manamulla Marutharam' in 1958 to 'Dasavatharam' in 2008, Nagesh's artistic journey lasted half a century. He didn't please anyone for the sake of awards or accolades during his lifetime. He lived by his principle and now he is a great but forgotten artist," adds Kamal Haasan.

The Universal Hero further adds, "Kalaimamani award from Tamil Nadu Government in 1974, National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in Nammavar (1994) and Tamilnadu State Film Special Award for Nammavar (1994) were the small accolades he received during his cinema career. According to me, Nagesh is deserving of any prestigious award in Cinema history. He would have been honoured more if he had been born in France, Russia or the USA. Even after 12 years of his demise, it is disheartening as an artist to see that the government failing to recognise him."

Kamal concluded by saying, "It would be a deserving recognition to the glorious actor if the state government names an important road after him, create an award in his name and erect a statue of him in MGR Government Film and Television Institute, Chennai. The state government should realise that it is the duty of the good government to honor artists and accomplish the same."

நகைச்சுவை நடிப்பில் தனி முத்திரை பதித்த நடிகர் நாகேஷ் அவர்களின் பிறந்த தினம் இன்று. 1000 படங்களுக்கும் மேல் நடித்து மக்களை மகிழ்வித்தவருக்கு உரிய அங்கீகாரம் கிடைக்கவே இல்லை. அவரது நினைவைப் போற்ற தமிழக அரசு ஆவன செய்யவேண்டும். pic.twitter.com/rLAVf1bMxO

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) September 27, 2021