Jaggesh (born 17 March 1963) is an Indian politician, film actor, director and producer, who works in the Kannada film industry. He is a Member of Parliament in the 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 and is originally from Mayasandra (Jadeya Mayasandra) of the Turuvekere Taluk in the Tumkur district. 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 Bharatiya Janata Party. 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.

Director

Singer

Television