Vijayakanth death: Prime Minister Narendra Modi fondly remembers his 'close friend'

Tamil actor and former leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu assembly, Vijayakanth, passed away on Thursday at a private hospital in Chennai. The 71-year-old had founded Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK). Following his death, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi expressed his grief and offered his condolences to Vijayakanth's family.

PM Narendra Modi remembers Vijayakanth

Narendra Modi took to his social media handle X and penned a heartfelt note for Vijayakanth following his death. He wrote, "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."

Vijayakanth passes away after testing positive for Covid-19

Officials at Miot Hospital confirmed his Vijayakanth's death. The actor, known by fans as the "Captain" for his portrayal of military characters, was admitted for the treatment of pneumonia and was on ventilator support. He tested positive for Covid-19.

"Captain Vijayakanth was on ventilator support following his admission for pneumonia. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, he passed away in the morning on Dec 28," the hospital stated.

Vijayakanth founded DMDK in 2005, challenging the supremacy of former CMs J. Jayalalithaa and M. Karunanidhi. He was a successful actor, producer, and director, serving as LoP twice, representing the constituencies of Virudhachalam and Rishivandiyam. He is survived by his wife, Premalatha, and two sons.

Vijayakanth, a successful action hero, earned the title "Puratchi Kalaignar," meaning revolutionary artist. He made his debut with Inikkum Ilamai in 1979, as a villain and went on to become an action icon in the 1980s and 1990s.

(With inputs from IANS)