Actor-politician and DMDK founder Vijayakanth has died in Chennai, according to reports.
Vijayakanth, the founder and head of DMDK, died on Thursday in Chennai. He was 71.
Officials at Miot Hospital, where Vijayakanth was taken for pneumonia and treated with ventilator support, confirmed his death.
“Captain Vijaykanth was on ventilator support after being admitted for pneumonia.” “Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he died in the morning of December 28th, 2023,” the hospital said in a statement.
Vijayakanth has previously tested positive for coronavirus, according to his party. According to hospital sources, the party published that statement before the findings of the second set of samples were ready, according to PTI.
Vijayakanth has been suffering and has kept a low profile for the past 4-5 years, and his wife Premalatha formally took over the DMDK as general secretary on December 14 at a party meeting in Chennai.
DMDK members and fans were seen outside the hospital weeping for the passing of the loved actor-leader.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences to Vijayakanth’s family, admirers, and supporters.
“Extremely saddened by the passing away of Thiru Vijayakanth Ji,” the prime minister said in a social media message.
“A Tamil film legend, his charismatic performances captured the hearts of millions.” As a political leader, he was profoundly committed to public service, and he left a lasting impression on Tamil Nadu’s political landscape,” he added.
“His death leaves a void that will be difficult to fill.” He was a good friend, and I have great memories of our exchanges throughout the years. My sympathies are with his family, admirers, and numerous following during this difficult time. “Shanti Om.”
He became known as “Captain” due to his on-screen portrayal of military characters, and he established himself as a versatile actor with a successful film career. Before entering politics, he appeared in 154 films.
Vijayakanth launched the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) in 2005 with the goal of offering an alternative political platform in Tamil Nadu to the established Dravidian parties such as the DMK and AIADMK.
In the 2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, the DMDK made its electoral debut. The party ran independently and won a considerable number of seats, establishing itself as a political force to be reckoned with in the state.
In the 2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, the Captain’s party made history by obtaining more seats than the DMK and becoming as the main opposition party.
From 2011 to 2016, Vijayakanth was the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
The DMDK ran in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but did not fare well.
The DMDK suffered internal issues, including important leader defections, which had an impact on its electoral performance in succeeding elections.