KUALA LUMPUR - Veteran Tamil actor and politician Vijayakanth, widely known as "Captain" among his fans, passed away this morning at a private hospital in Chennai, India.
The 71-year-old actor had been undergoing treatment for pneumonia since November 20 and had also tested positive for COVID-19. Some Indian news portals reported he was on ventilatory support before his demise.
Vijayakanth, who made his debut in the film "Inikkum Ilamai" in 1979, acted in 154 films and was considered a contemporary to veteran Tamil actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.
He was particularly renowned for his roles as a village do-gooder and senior police officer in movies such as "Chinna Gounder" (1991), "Thavasi" (2001), and "Narasimha" (2001).
In addition to his successful film career, like many other Tamil screen idols, Vijayakanth ventured into politics by founding the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) in 2005. He was elected as a member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly twice and served as the state's opposition leader from 2011 to 2016.
He emerged as a significant force in Tamil Nadu politics, challenging stalwarts like J. Jayalalitha and M. Karunanidhi.
The actor is often credited for his efforts in reviving the ‘Nadigar Sangam’ (South Indian Artists Association) when it was reeling under heavy debt. He organised several shows abroad, including in Singapore and Malaysia, to raise funds for the association.
In recent years, Vijayakanth had withdrawn from active politics due to deteriorating health. His last public appearance was on Dec 14, during a DMDK meeting where his wife, Premalatha, was appointed as the party's general secretary. Vijayakanth is survived by his wife and two sons. - BERNAMA