Captain Vijayakanth was hospitalised due to pneumonia and was being treated with ventilator support. He passed away on 28 December.
Published Dec 28, 2023 | 10:01 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 28, 2023 | 9:19 PM
Vijayakanth earned the title "Captain" after his 100th film "Captain Prabhakaran".
Renowned Tamil actor and founder of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) “Captain” Vijayakanth passed away in Chennai on 28 December. He was 71.
He had been battling Covid-19 and was on ventilator support at MIOT Hospital in Chennai since being admitted on 26 December.
“Captain Vijayakanth was hospitalised due to pneumonia and was being treated with ventilator support. He passed away this morning, 28 December 2023, despite the best efforts of the medical staff,” said the hospital in a statement.
Vijayakanth’s public life was marked by a successful film career spanning 154 movies, followed by his entry into politics. He established the DMDK and served twice as a Member of Legislative Assembly, representing Virudhachalam and Rishivandiyam constituencies.
Notably, he held the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 2011 to 2016.
In November 2023, Vijayakanth was admitted at a private hospital in Chennai, following symptoms of fever, throat pain, and cold.
During the admission, the party statement said that Vijayakanth, fondly called “Captain”, was taken to the hospital for a routine check-up and is likely to return home in a day or two.
However, according to hospital sources, the actor developed a breathing issue during his admission and he was put on ventilator support whenever needed, during the treatment.
On 29 November, the Managing Director of MIOT International said that Vijayakanth’s health condition was showing great improvement. “However, over the last 24 hours, he showed mild deterioration requiring a small amount of pulmonary support. We continue to be confident that he will make a full recovery. Possible length of stay in hospital is a further 14 days,” read the hospital’s statement.
Vijayakanth was discharged from the hospital by mid-December.
Concerns about his health had led to a reduction in his political activities in recent years. His last public appearance was on 14 December during the DMDK’s 18th executive and general council meeting in Thiruverkadu, where due to his deteriorating health, the party’s reins were passed to his wife, Premalatha, elected as the party’s General Secretary.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced full state honours for DMDK founder-leader Vijayakanth’s funeral.
In his condolence message, Stalin expressed grief over Vijayakanth’s death and hailed him as an achiever; both as an actor and as a leader in public life.
As a mark of homage, the government will accord full state honours for Vijayakanth’s funeral, Stalin announced.
The DMDK founder’s death is a huge loss for Tamil Nadu and the world of cinema, the Chief Minister said and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family members and party workers.
அன்பிற்கினிய நண்பர் – தேசிய முற்போக்கு திராவிடக் கழக நிறுவனத் தலைவர் கேப்டன் விஜயகாந்த் அவர்களுக்கு இறுதி மரியாதை செலுத்தினேன்.
நல்ல உள்ளத்திற்குச் சொந்தக்காரரான நண்பர் விஜயகாந்த் அவர்கள் திரையுலகிலும் பொதுவாழ்விலும் தனது கடும் உழைப்பினால் வெற்றிகரமான முத்திரைகளைப் பதித்த… pic.twitter.com/09qWav7Pnk
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 28, 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the passing away of Vijayakanth and said that his death has left a void that will be hard to fill.
In a post on X, Modi said, “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, the Prime Minister said that Vijayakanth was deeply committed to public service, and has left 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.”
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
Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai also took to X to mourn the loss of Vijayakanth. In his post, he called Vijayakanth a “selfless leader” and said that his demise is a “loss to Tamil Nadu and the Tamil people”.
தேமுதிக தலைவர், மதிப்பிற்குரிய கேப்டன் விஜயகாந்த் அவர்கள் காலமானார் என்ற செய்தி, மிகுந்த வருத்தமும் மனவேதனையும் அளிக்கிறது. தென்தமிழகத்தில் பிறந்து, தென்னிந்தியத் திரையுலகையே கட்டியாண்ட பெருமைக்குரியவர். ஏழை எளிய தொழிலாளர்களின் பசிப்பிணி போக்கிய மாமனிதர். உலகெங்கும் வாழும் தமிழ்… pic.twitter.com/uJHMNs2aWP
— K.Annamalai (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@annamalai_k) December 28, 2023
Aside from prominent political leaders, condolences poured in on social media from actors and the general public.
