CHENNAI: Kollywood star and DMDK chief Vijayakant, who rose from the hinterlands to heights of fame in films and politics, died early Thursday after prolonged illnesses. He was 71.
Vijayakant is survived by his wife Premalatha and sons Shanmuga Pandian and Vijaya Prabhakaran. He had been in and out of hospitals in the last few years. In 2017, he travelled to the US (where he had earlier undergone a kidney transplant) for medical treatment.In June 2022, his toes were amputated following chronic diabetes.
Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin, who visited Vijayakant’s residence to pay his last respects, announced that the leader would be laid to rest with full state honours at the DMDK headquarters in Koyambedu on Friday.
Loud wails of cadres and well-wishers and slogans hailing their ‘Captain’ rent the air at his Saligramam residence in the morning. Thousands joined the procession as the departed leader’s mortal remains were later taken to the party headquarters. Politicians as well as doyens of Tamil film industry made a beeline to pay their last respects.
Born to Alargarswami and Aandal as Vijayaraj in Madurai, Vijayakant rose to prominence in the Tamil film industry alongside stars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. His down-to-earth persona won the admiration of a multitude of fans.
He won several awards, including the Filmfare award for ‘Amman Kovil Kizhakale’ in 1986. His commercial blockbuster ‘Sattam Oru Iruttarai’ was remade in Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi.
Vijayakant is survived by his wife Premalatha and sons Shanmuga Pandian and Vijaya Prabhakaran. He had been in and out of hospitals in the last few years. In 2017, he travelled to the US (where he had earlier undergone a kidney transplant) for medical treatment.In June 2022, his toes were amputated following chronic diabetes.
Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin, who visited Vijayakant’s residence to pay his last respects, announced that the leader would be laid to rest with full state honours at the DMDK headquarters in Koyambedu on Friday.
Loud wails of cadres and well-wishers and slogans hailing their ‘Captain’ rent the air at his Saligramam residence in the morning. Thousands joined the procession as the departed leader’s mortal remains were later taken to the party headquarters. Politicians as well as doyens of Tamil film industry made a beeline to pay their last respects.
Born to Alargarswami and Aandal as Vijayaraj in Madurai, Vijayakant rose to prominence in the Tamil film industry alongside stars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. His down-to-earth persona won the admiration of a multitude of fans.
He won several awards, including the Filmfare award for ‘Amman Kovil Kizhakale’ in 1986. His commercial blockbuster ‘Sattam Oru Iruttarai’ was remade in Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi.