Vijayakanth, known popularly as Captain Vijayakanth Renowned, the Tamil actor and founder-leader of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), breathed his last on Thursday morning in a private hospital where he had been receiving treatment for pneumonia.
The 71-year-old actor, survived by his wife Premalatha and sons Shanmuga Pandian and Vijaya Prabhakaran, had been on ventilator support after testing positive for Covid-19, according to an announcement made by the party headquarters earlier on Thursday.
The actor was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday but had been battling prolonged health issues, including a history of hospitalizations due to various ailments.
Born as Vijayaraj to Alargarswami and Aandal in Madurai, Vijayakant carved a prominent niche in the Tamil film industry, standing shoulder to shoulder with stalwarts like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. Revered for his down-to-earth persona, he garnered a vast fan base, affectionately known as ‘Karuppu MGR’ and ‘Puratchi Kalaignar,’ while being fondly addressed as ‘Captain’ after his 100th hit film, ‘Captain Prabhakaran.’
Throughout his career, Vijayakant effortlessly portrayed diverse characters, earning accolades such as the Filmfare Award for ‘Amman Kovil Kizhakale’ in 1986 and the Tamil Nadu government’s recognition for ‘Senthoora Poove’ in 1988. He etched his name in history by starring in 18 lead roles in 1984, a feat unmatched in the Tamil film industry.
Vijayakant a career spanning 3 decades
His cinematic triumphs included commercially successful movies like ‘Sattam Oru Iruttarai,’ which were remade in multiple languages. Films like ‘Vaidegi Kathirunthal,’ ‘Amman Kovil Kizhakale,’ ‘Oomai Vizhigal,’ ‘Cooliekkaran,’ ‘Uzhavan Magan,’ ‘Poonthootta Kavalkaaran,’ and ‘Senthoora Poove’ solidified his status as a celebrated actor over a career spanning three decades.
Beyond the silver screen, Vijayakant’s foray into politics reshaped Tamil Nadu’s electoral landscape. He transformed his fan clubs into the DMDK in 2005 and surged ahead in politics, forming alliances that led to significant victories. His alliance with Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK in 2011 saw the DMDK securing 29 out of 40 seats, propelling him to the position of Leader of Opposition.
Notably, his alignment with the NDA in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, where he campaigned extensively for PM Narendra Modi, forged a strong camaraderie with the national leader. Modi, acknowledging their association, referred to Vijayakant as a “good friend” during a Parliamentary Party meeting after his election.
In the 2016 assembly elections, Vijayakant positioned himself as the chief ministerial candidate under the People’s Welfare Front alliance. His last public appearance was at the DMDK general council meeting on December 13, where, despite his health constraints, he appeared in a wheelchair to support his wife’s anointment as the DMDK general secretary.
Vijayakant’s contributions to Tamil cinema and political landscape have left an indelible mark, with supporters mourning the loss of a multifaceted personality who transcended the realms of entertainment