The renowned Kollywood actor Vijayakanth popularly known as “Captain” passed away on Thursday at a private hospital in Chennai at the age of 71 due to pneumonia.
Image Source: India Today
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) founder and general secretary Tamil actor -politician Vijayakanth died today. The death was confirmed by the Miot Hospital of Chennai where he was admitted for pneumonia. He has been ill for the past 4 -5 days and is maintaining a low profile. His wife Premalatha Vijayakanth took over the responsibility of DMDK and on 14 December she was officially declared as general secretary at the party meet of DMDK in Chennai. In her speech Premalatha vow to stay committed to DMDK party and members. She said that the responsibility of general secretary given by Vijayakanth himself, she will work for the welfare of people and stay loyal to the party.
He was admitted to Miot Hospital after a diagnostic test which confirmed his condition of diagnosis of coronavirus infection. and he was put for ventilation support because of breathing issues. Though according to the hospital statement he was suffering from pneumonia. However the hospital source told PTI that the party issued the statement before the result of second round report samples come.
Vijayakanth’s last rites will be held on 29 December with full state honours from his party Tamil Nadu’s Koyambedu. According to his party members statement Vijayakanth’s rites ceremony will performed at 4:45 PM on Friday afternoon. MK Stalin, the chief minister of Chennai announced to laid the captain with State honours.
Captain Narayanan Vijayaraj Alagarswami was born on 25 August, 1952 in Madurai. K. N. Alagarswami was his father and Aandal Azhagarswami was her mother. Later on 31 January 1990 he married to Premalatha Vijayakanth and had two sons including actor Shanmuga Pandian.
Vijayakath acting career:
Vijayakanth is fondly Known as “Captain” which is based on his film “Captain Prabhakaran (1991)” where he played the role of a military officer. Speaking of his acting career, he was a versatile actor. He made his career debut in Tamil film as a negative character. He worked in 154 movies, most of them in Tamil. He mostly dubbed into Hindi and Telugu films. He is entitled as “Puratchi Kalaignar” for his extraordinary career in acting. Though he was holding a position at Nadigar Sangam, he brought a revelation in the whole South Film Industry. His popular films are Oomai Vizhigal(1986), Vaidhegi kaathirunthaal(1984), Ramana, Chinna Gounder (1992), Senthoora Poove(1993), Thennavan(2003), Vallarasu(2000), Narasimha(2001).
Source: Film Companion
Vijayakanth Political Career:
However he started his career as an actor, in 2005 he took the first step of his political career as he founded Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK). In 2006 his party made its electoral debut in Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections and achieved 10% of total voters.
In 2011 he collaborated with AIADMK in the Assembly elections but they didn’t win and became opposition leader. His verbal communication with Jayalalithaa took the storm in Tamil Nadu as he appeared as a face who can break down the continual harmony of Tamil Nadu’s politics. Between 2011 to 2016 he served as opposition leader in Tamil Nadu Assembly. Later his party broke the tie with AIADMK as a result several party members left the party. He represents Rishivandiyam and Virudhachalam voters and served twice as member of Assembly.
Tribute For Vijayakanth:
The Prime minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and he tweeted “ Extremely saddened by the passing away of Thiru Vijayakanth Ji.” Om Shanti” he added.
Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his sadness to his nearest ones and wrote Om Shanti Shanti.”
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi also tweeted on X and shows his sorrowness and expressed how renowned leader he was.
“My heartfelt condolences to his family and fans during this difficult time” posted on Congress microblogging site.
K Annamalai, Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief express his sorrow over his death. Actor -politician Kamal Hossain wrote he was a revolutionary artist in cinema and politics who will always be unforgettable.
Former Indian Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Anurag Thakur, Nirmala Sitharaman, BJP President J. P. Nadda, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Opposition Leader Edappadi K. Palaniswam and Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy also expressed their sorrow over the sudden demise of renowned Actor-Politician Vijayakanth death.
