BHANUMATHI

Recipient of the Padmashri from the Indian government, three-time National award winner as best actress and the Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy award winner for her short stories, Dr Bhanumathi Ramakrishna is a truly multifaceted personality.

She made her debut in films in Varavikrayam (sale of bridegroom in Telugu). Known for being a singer-actress, Bhanumathi is adept in both Carnatic and Hindustani music. In 1953, she made her maiden directorial venture with Chandi Rani (made simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi).

She made a comeback after her marriage, with Swargaseema (Telugu), which proved a hit all over South India. Her career as a music composer had begun by then. She is also a producer, writer, screenplay writer and businesswoman. She is currently directing and producing serials for television.

Even when the charismatic MGR and the versatile Sivaji Ganesan were ruling the roost, Nagesh managed to always have the 'last laugh'. One of the most acclaimed comedians in Tamil film history, his name evokes mixed reactions in the minds of Tamil film audiences. This is because he sparkled not only as a comedian but also as a character artiste who with his sensitive performance in films like Neer Kumizhi and Edhir Neechal and Server Sundaram moved viewers to tears.

Born into a brahmin household, he left home for Chennai to seek his fortune. In Chennai he stayed in a one-room tenement with lyricist Vaali and actor Srikkanth. The play 'Kambar Ramayanam' inspired him to ask the Secretary of the Railway's Cultural Association to give him a small role to act. Given the role of a man with stomach pain, he performed with elan to earn the praise of the then Superstar - MGR, who was the chief guest.

Producer Balaji who first spotted him, gave him his break in films. Some of his most notable films include Thiruvillaiyaadal, Kaathalikka Neramillai, Thillaana Moganaambaal and Apoorva Raagangal.

Nagesh is a self-taught man who believes that an actor can learn from watching life and its characters. It is said that he often sat in his car on busy roadsides and watched people on the streets, to grasp mannerisms that he would later reproduce on screen. Much of his body language (including his famed dancing routines) were inspired by the legendary comedian Jerry Lewis.

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