Vijayakanth, a Tamil mega star and the founder of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), died on Thursday in a private hospital in Chennai after a protracted illness. He was 71.
Vijayakanth’s death closes an important chapter in Tamil Nadu’s political history, leaving a vacuum in the state’s rich political tapestry.
MIOT Hospital in Chennai issued a statement indicating that ‘Captain’ Vijayakanth was placed on ventilator support due to the seriousness of his condition after being hospitalized for pneumonia. Despite the medical team’s best efforts, he succumbed to disease and died on December 28, 2023, according to the statement.
Vijayakanth was taken to the same hospital on November 18 for a feverish sickness and was discharged on December 11.
On December 14, the actor-turned-politician made his first public appearance since his release to attend DMDK’s executive and general council meeting. His wife, Premalatha Vijayakanth, was named the party’s new general secretary during the meeting.
Vijayakanth’s death not only marks the loss of a famous personality, but it also illustrates the waning power of a political party that once had enormous potential. Vijayakanth was the only Tamil actor to gain considerable success in Tamil politics after M G Ramachandran, or MGR.
Vijayakanth, who provided audiences a thrill with his spectacular action sequences and heated remarks, was born Vijayaraj on August 25, 1952 in Madurai as Vijayaraj. He made his cinematic debut with ‘Iniikum Ilamai’ in 1979. Senthoora Poove, Pulan Visaranai, Chatriyan, Captain Prabhakaran, Chinna Gounder, Sethupathi IPS, Honest Raj, Vanathai Pola, and Ramana are among his renowned films. Vijayakanth was also the president of the Nadigar Sangam, an organization for performers.
In 2005, he joined politics by forming his own political party. In Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian politics, the DMDK emerged as a new political option. Vijayakanth’s popularity, especially in rural regions, was vital to the party’s early success.
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