Chennai Mourns as DMDK Founder Vijayakanth, Renowned Tamil Actor, Passes Away at 71
Chennai witnessed the demise of DMDK founder-leader and iconic Tamil actor Vijayakanth on Thursday after a period of illness. The 71-year-old actor-turned-politician was admitted to the hospital and put on ventilator support earlier in the day due to breathing difficulties, as announced through the party’s official communication.
His mortal remains were brought to his residence and are scheduled to be taken to the DMDK office shortly. This follows his previous admission to MIOT Hospital in November, where he was under medical observation for 14 days due to health complications, including cough and throat pain.
Popularly known as ‘Captain,’ Vijayakanth enjoyed a successful career in the Tamil film industry, featuring in 154 movies before transitioning into politics. Notably, during his tenure at Nadigar Sangam, he instigated transformative changes in the South Indian film industry.
In 2005, he founded Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazgam (DMDK) and contested all assembly seats in 2006, securing 10% of the total vote share. The party achieved significant success in the 2011 elections when it formed an alliance with AIADMK, winning 26 out of 41 contested constituencies and becoming the principal Opposition Party, with Vijayakanth serving as the leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly from 2011 to 2016.
However, due to ideological differences, DMDK severed ties with AIADMK, leading to mass resignations of DMDK MLAs and the loss of its main Opposition party status. Vijayakanth, representing the Virudhachalam and Rishivandiyam constituencies, served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly twice.
In subsequent elections (2014, 2016, 2019, and 2021), DMDK’s electoral performance declined as Vijayakanth faced health complications. His significant contributions to both cinema and politics leave behind a lasting legacy in Tamil Nadu.
