Nagesh's career enjoyed a resurgence from 1978 onwards when he acted in a number of movies. Nagesh appeared as himself in "Thillu Mullu", which was remake of "Gol Maal" (1979), a Hindi film. From 1978 onwards, his performances in films such as "Varuvan Vadivelan, Adhirstakaran, Nizhal Nijamagiradhu, Oru Nadigai Nadagam Paarkiral, Gnana Kuzhandhai, Azhage Unnai Aarathikkiren, Bhama Rukmani, Amara Kaviyam, Vaa Kanna Vaa, Aayiram Nilave Vaa, Kalthoon, Kadal Meengal, Mohana Punnagai, Then Koodu, Paartha Gnabagam Illayo, Padikkadavan, Maaveeran, Cooliekkaran, Ivargal Varungala Thoongal" and "Makkal En Pakkam" were appreciated. Right from the start of his career, he was known for doing clean comedy acts. He wanted to do only clean comedy roles even in the period between 1980 and 1988, when many other comedians were doing slapstick low quality comedy characters in the films and hence he chose to accept very few roles in this period. He was in the lead roles again with "Rudra Thandavam" and "Engal Vadhiyar". He started accepting roles of elderly people as well. He also directed the film "Paartha Gnabagam Illayo" in 1985. It was then when Kamal Haasan gave him a break with his project "Apoorva Sagodharargal". This movie was a massive hit. Nagesh's villainous role was much appreciated. Nobody ever thought that Kamal Haasan could design a villainous role for an actor like Nagesh, that too after Nagesh had crossed the age of 55 in 1988. The movie was later dubbed into Hindi as "Appu Raja". He also played the villain in the Rajinikanth films "Athisaya Piravi" and "Mounam Sammadham". His negative roles included sadistic schemers, than muscular giants.