DMDK founder and actor Vijayakanth dies after battle with illness in Chennai

Covid-19 JN.1 variant LIVE: DMDK chief Narayanan Vijayaraj Alagarswami, better known by his stage name Vijayakanth and fondly referred to as 'Captain', was 71 years old.

Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) founder and general secretary Vijayakant, who was hospitalised in Chennai for pneumonia, passed away on December 28. He was 71.

"Captain Vijayakanth was on ventilatory support following his admission for pneumonia. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff he passed away in the morning on 28th December 2023," MIOT International said in a press release.

The iconic Tamil actor from yesteryears, affectionately known as "Captain" for his memorable portrayals of military characters on screen, has encountered health challenges. Reports indicate that the veteran actor faced difficulty in breathing, prompting diagnostic tests that ultimately confirmed a diagnosis of coronavirus infection, as revealed by his party in a recent statement.

Vijayakanth had been facing health issues since November, and on December 15, his wife, Premalatha Vijayakanth, took over the role of the general secretary of DMDK.

In 2005, Vijayakanth made a foray into the realm of politics by founding the DMDK. His political venture aimed to create an alternative political platform within Tamil Nadu, challenging the long-established Dravidian parties such as the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam).

The formation of the DMDK marked a significant departure in the state's political landscape, introducing a new contender and providing voters with an alternative choice beyond the dominant Dravidian political entities.

Fans, actors from the industry, and politicians offered their heartfelt condolences after learning about his demise.

Extremely saddened by the passing away of Thiru Vijayakanth Ji. A legend of the Tamil film world, his charismatic performances captured the hearts of millions. As a political leader, he was deeply committed to public service, leaving a lasting impact on Tamil Nadu’s political… pic.twitter.com/di0ZUfUVWo— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 28, 2023

"Extremely saddened by the passing away of Thiru Vijayakanth Ji. A legend of the Tamil film world, his charismatic performances captured the hearts of millions. As a political leader, he was deeply committed to public service, leaving a lasting impact on Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. His passing leaves a void that will be hard to fill. He was a close friend and I fondly recall my interactions with him over the years. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with his family, fans and numerous followers. Om Shanti," PM Modi wrote on X, formerly Twitter.