# Jaggesh

Eshwar Gowda (born 17 March 1963), known professionally as Jaggesh, is an Indian politician, film actor, director and producer, who mainly works in Kannada cinema. Known for his roles in comedy films, he is popular by the moniker Navarasa Nayaka. Considered one of the popular actors, Jaggesh has won Karnataka State Film Awards and Suvarna Film Awards for his acting.
Jaggesh started his film career by playing minor part in Ibbani Karagithu (1982) and then he essayed supporting roles in Ranadheera (1988), Ranaranga (1988), Yuddha Kaanda (1989), Rani Maharani (1990), C. B. I. Shiva (1991) among others and also worked as an assistant director for several films. His first lead role came with Bhanda Nanna Ganda in 1992 but his major breakthrough came in Tharle Nan Maga in the same year.
He is a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from Karnataka since 2022 and the spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka.

## Early and personal life

Jaggesh, born on 17 March 1963 as Eshwar is originally from Mayasandra (Jadeya Mayasandra) of Turuvekere Taluk in Tumkur district to a Vokkaliga family.
Jaggesh married Parimala on 22 March 1984 with whom he has sons Gururaj (b.1987) and Yathiraj (b.1992). Parimala's brother Sunder Ramu is also an actor.

## Career
### Film

He debuted in Ibbani Karagithu (1983) starring Anant Nag and Lakshmi. After playing supporting roles for almost 10 years, he got his first lead role in Tharle Nan Maga (1993), directed by Upendra in his directorial debut. His first big grosser was Bhanda Nanna Ganda. In a career spanning 40 years he has acted in nearly 150 films, with notable films including Super Nan Maga, Server Somanna, Bevu Bella, Mata, Eddelu Manjunatha, Vaastu Prakaara and Neer Dose. He is popularly known as 'Navarasa Nayaka' of sandalwood for his unique mannerisms and comic timing. He directed two films, Guru and Melkote Manja.
He became the celebrity judge for the comedy show Comedy Khiladigalu and joined the reality show Khiladi Kutumba.

### Politics

Jaggesh's political affiliation was with the Indian National Congress (INC). He claimed that his father had been a "Mandal Panchayath President, and mother a Zilla Panchayat member in Tumkur." In the 2004 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election, Jaggesh contested Turuvekere, and won with a healthy margin but resigned from the INC to join the BJP. He served as Member of Legislative Council and held the cabinet rank as the vice-chairman of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (K.S.R.T.C.).

## Filmography

All the films are in Kannada.
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1982 | Ibbani Karagithu | | |
| 1985 | Shwetha Gulabi | | |
| 1986 | Hosa Neeru | | |
| 1987 | Sangrama | | |
| 1988 | Ranadheera | Maadhu | |
| 1988 | Bhoomi Thayane | | |
| 1988 | Sangliyana | | |
| 1988 | Ranaranga | Jaggu | |
| 1989 | Yuddha Kaanda | Tony | |
| 1989 | Manmatha Raja | Ganesh | |
| 1989 | Parashuram | M. Shivaraj's son | |
| 1989 | Poli Huduga | | |
| 1989 | Raja Yuvaraja | | |
| 1989 | Krishna Nee Kunidaga | | |
| 1989 | Narasimha | Bansi Lal | |
| 1990 | Ajay Vijay | | |
| 1990 | Ranabheri | | |
| 1990 | Kempu Gulabi | | |
| 1990 | Rani Maharani | | |
| 1990 | Prathap | Tribesman | |
| 1990 | Challenge | | |
| 1990 | Thrinethra | Suman | |
| 1991 | Varagala Bete | | |
| 1991 | Sundarakanda | | |
| 1991 | Kadana | | |
| 1991 | C. B. I. Shiva | Chandru | |
| 1991 | Rollcall Ramakrishna | | |
| 1991 | Kalla Malla | | |
| 1991 | Rowdy & MLA | | |
| 1991 | Aranyadalli Abhimanyu | | |
| 1992 | Hatamari Hennu Kiladi Gandu | | |
| 1992 | Sindhoora Thilaka | | |
| 1992 | Solillada Saradara | Manohar | |
| 1992 | Kanasina Rani | Bhaskar | |
| 1992 | Tharle Nan Maga | Santosh | First lead role |
| 1992 | Sahasi | | |
| 1992 | Bhanda Nanna Ganda | Krishna | |
| 1992 | Police File | | |
| 1992 | Megha Mandara | | |
| 1992 | Super Nanna Maga | Sundar | |
| 1992 | Alli Ramachari Illi Brahmachari | | |
| 1993 | Server Somanna | Soma | |
| 1993 | Gadibidi Ganda | | |
| 1993 | Bombaat Huduga | | |
| 1993 | Gundana Maduve | Gunda | |
| 1993 | Shivanna | Shiva | |
| 1993 | Urvashi Kalyana | | |
| 1993 | Bevu Bella | | |
| 1993 | Military Mava | | |
| 1993 | Rupayi Raja | | |
| 1994 | Rayara Maga | | |
| 1994 | Bhairava | Bhairava | |
| 1994 | Beda Krishna Ranginata | Krishna | |
| 1994 | Indrana Gedda Narendra | Narendra | |
| 1994 | Prema Simhasana | Rudra, Vikram, Kali | Triple role |
| 1995 | Bal Nan Maga | | |
| 1995 | Eshwar | Eshwar | |
| 1996 | Soma | Soma | |
| 1996 | Pattanakke Banda Putta | Putta | |
| 1997 | Bhanda Alla Bahaddur | | |
| 1997 | Aliya Alla Magala Ganda | | |
| 1997 | Ranganna | Ranga | |
| 1997 | Anna Andre Nammanna | | |
| 1998 | Arjun Abhimanyu | Arjun | |
| 1998 | Jaidev | Jaidev | |
| 1998 | Maathina Malla | | |
| 1998 | Mari Kannu Hori Myage | Vaikunta | |
| 1998 | Yaare Neenu Cheluve | | Cameo |
| 1998 | Jagath Kiladi | Vijay Kumar, Bhargava | Dual role |
| 1998 | Veeranna | Veeranna | |
| 1999 | Drona | Drona alias CM | |
| 1999 | Patela | Patela | |
| 1999 | Kubera | | |
| 1999 | Nannaseya Hoove | Ravi | |
| 1999 | Aaha Nanna Maduveyante | | |
| 2000 | Kiladi | | |
| 2000 | Mundaithe Oora Habba | | |
| 2000 | Sultan | | |
| 2001 | Jipuna Nanna Ganda | Padmanabh | |
| 2001 | Shukradeshe | | |
| 2001 | Jodi | Sunil | |
| 2001 | Jeetendra | Jeetendra | |
| 2001 | Prema Rajya | | |
| 2001 | Rusthum | | |
| 2001 | Haalu Sakkare | | |
| 2002 | Vamshakkobba | | |
| 2002 | Makeup | K. D. Roy, Doddamma | Dual role Also producer |
| 2003 | Kasu Iddone Basu | | |
| 2003 | Huchana Maduveli Undone Jaana | Gopalkrishna | |
| 2003 | Yaardo Duddu Yallammana Jathre | Gowda | |
| 2004 | Aagodella Olledakke | | |
| 2004 | Nija | Mudhol I.P.S/Kencha | |
| 2004 | Rama Krishna | Krishna | |
| 2005 | Mr. Bakra | Gopal | |
| 2006 | Pandavaru | | |
| 2006 | Honeymoon Express | Jaggi | |
| 2006 | Mata | Venkatesh | 100th film Won - Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor (Rejected) |
| 2006 | Tenali Rama | Rama | |
| 2007 | Govinda Gopala | Govinda | |
| 2007 | Manmatha | Puttaswamy, Soorya | Dual Role |
| 2007 | Ganesha | Ganesh Patil | |
| 2008 | Nee Tata Naa Birla | Jaggu | |
| 2008 | Kodagana Koli Nungitha | Balasubramanya | |
| 2008 | Dheemaku | Himself | Cameo |
| 2009 | Chickpete Sachagalu | Jaggi | |
| 2009 | Chamkaisi Chindi Udaysi | Himself | Cameo |
| 2009 | Eddelu Manjunatha | Manjunatha | Suvarna Film Award for Best Actor |
| 2010 | Lift Kodla | Krishna | |
| 2010 | Aithalakkadi | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2011 | Double Decker | Paramesh | |
| 2011 | Dudde Doddappa | Sudhama | |
| 2011 | Allide Nammane Illi Bande Summane | Himself | Cameo |
| 2011 | Bodyguard | Jaikrishna | |
| 2012 | Manjunatha BA LLB | Manjunatha | |
| 2013 | CID Eesha | Shankar | |
| 2014 | Cool Ganesha | Ganesha | |
| 2014 | Agraja | Sidda | |
| 2014 | Software Ganda | Manu | |
| 2015 | Vaastu Prakaara | Mama | |
| 2015 | Dove | Himself | Special appearance in a song |
| 2016 | Neer Dose | Jaggesh Kumar | Nominated—SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) |
| 2017 | Melkote Manja | Manja | Also director |
| 2017 | Mugulu Nage | Himself | Special appearance in a song |
| 2018 | 8MM Bullet | Murthi | |
| 2019 | Premier Padmini | Vinayaka | |
| 2019 | Kalidasa Kannada Meshtru | Kalidasa | |
| 2022 | Totapuri: Chapter 1 | Eeregowda | |
| 2023 | Raghavendra Stores | Hayavadana | |
| 2023 | Thothapuri: Chapter 2 | Eeregowda | |
| 2024 | Ranganayaka | Ranganayaka | |

### Director

| Year | Film | Notes |
| 2012 | Guru | |
| 2017 | Melkote Manja | |

### Singer

| Year | Title | Song | Music director | Co-singer(s) |
| 1992 | Bhanda Nanna Ganda | "Anthintha Gandu Naanalla" | V. Manohar | — |
| 1992 | Bhanda Nanna Ganda | "O Mahila Manigale" | V. Manohar | Chandrika |
| 1992 | Super Nanna Maga | "Baarayya Sanjege" | V. Manohar | Manjula Gururaj |
| 1992 | Super Nanna Maga | "Thaalavendare Rhythm" | V. Manohar | L. N. Shastri |
| 1992 | Alli Ramachari Illi Brahmachari | "Jumma Jumma" | V. Manohar | L. N. Shastri, Latha Hamsalekha |
| 1993 | Gundana Maduve | "Maduvemaneli Maduvanagitthi" | V. Manohar | Manjula Gururaj |
| 1994 | Beda Krishna Ranginata | "Kogileye Kogileye" | V. Manohar | Chaitra H. G. |
| 1994 | Beda Krishna Ranginata | "Naanu Endu Gellonu" | V. Manohar | — |
| 1994 | Beda Krishna Ranginata | "Thrilling Thrilling" | V. Manohar | Manjula Gururaj |
| 1997 | Banda Alla Bahadur | "Bisi Bisi" (Reprise) | V. Manohar | K. S. Chithra |
| 1998 | Jagath Kiladi | "I Love For You" | Rajan–Nagendra | Anuradha Sriram |
| 1999 | Drona | "L O V E Aadru" | Hamsalekha | Soumya |
| 1999 | Kubera | "Sketch Bold Sketch" | Rajesh Ramanath | Sudarshan |
| 2001 | Shukradeshe | Vijayanand | "Jambada Koli" | — |
| 2001 | Shukradeshe | Vijayanand | "Kannada Kannada" | — |
| 2001 | Rusthum | "Mallige Mallige" | Sadhu Kokila | Surekha |
| 2003 | Huchana Maduveli Undone Jaana | "Chikkammi Kel" | Prashant Raj | — |
| 2003 | Yaardo Duddu Yallammana Jathre | Havadru Kachabarda | V. Manohar | — |
| 2003 | Crazy Boys | "Haavad Ru" | V. Manohar | — |
| 2005 | Mr. Bakra | "Metgontho Nange" | V. Manohar | Sangeetha Madhuri |
| 2005 | Mr. Bakra | "Bhamini Rukmini" | V. Manohar | — |
| 2011 | Bodyguard | "Nambidora Maneya" | Vinay Chandra | — |
| 2012 | Manjunatha BA LLB | "Brahma Ninge Jodusthini" | Vinay Chandra | — |
| 2012 | Guru | "Guru" | Vinay Chandra | — |
| 2013 | Cool Ganesha | "Beautifullu Hennu" | Manikanth Kadri | Indu Nagaraj |
| 2013 | Cool Ganesha | "Idhi Manakey Sadhyam" | Manikanth Kadri | Gurukiran, Shamitha Malnad |
| 2014 | Sachin! Tendulkar Alla | "Suttho Bhumi Ane" | Rajesh Ramanath | — |
| 2017 | Jnana Pada | "Surya Badalaagavna" | Sagar Gururaj | — |

## Television

| Year | Title | Role(s) | Note(s) | Ref. |
| 2012 | Kaiyalli Koti Helbittu Hoderi | Host | | |
| 2017 | Sye to Dance | Judge | Season 3 | |
| 2016- 2022 | Comedy Khiladigalu | Judge | 4 Seasons | [23] [24] |
| 2017 | Weekend with Ramesh | Guest | Season 3 | |
| 2017 | Khiladi Kutumba | Permanent Guest | Season 1 | |
| 2018- 2020 | Comedy Khiladigalu Championship | Judge | 2 Seasons | |
| 2019 | Kannadada Kanmani | Judge | | |