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RIP Vijayakanth: Chief Minister MK Stalin pays his last respect to 'Captain' and honours him with a state funeral!

By alagu, 28 December, 2023
Vijayakanth, MK Stalin, DMDK, Chennai

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has paid his last respects to actor-turned-politican 'Captain' Vijayakanth, who passed away at the age of 71 on Thursday - December 28 in Chennai due to ailments. After paying his last respects and expressing condolences to the bereaving family, the Chief Minister announced state funeral for Vijayakanth, in a way of honouring the latter's immense contributions to cinema, politics, and public life. 

Accompanied by ministers and senior leaders, Chief Minister MK Stalin arrived at Vijayakanth's residence in Saligramam, Chennai where his mortal remains were kept initially. Stalin consoled Vijayakanth's wife Premalatha and his brother-in-law Sudheesh and in his tribute note, the Chief Minister reminisced the journey of the deceased leader and how he is pained over his demise. 

Taking to social media, Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote, "I paid my last respect to my dear friend and the leader of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), Captain Vijayakanth. A good-hearted Vijayakanth is an achiever and has made successful marks through his hard work in the film industry and in public life. In all the tasks he took up, as an actor, as actors' union president, legislator, and as the leader of opposition, he devoted himself fully to it and supported everyone around him. He was close to me as a family friend and always shown unique affection towards (late DMK president) Kalaignar Karunanidhi." 

By recalling that Vijayakanth has got married in the presence of Karunanidhi, Chief Minister MK Stalin said that the loss of Vijayakanth, who was fondly called as 'Captain' by Tamil people, is a huge disaster to Tamil Nadu and the Tamil film industry. "I express my condolences to Premalatha Vijayakanth, Vijayakanth's family, the cadres of DMDK, film fraternities, and fans. As a mark of paying homage to Vijayakanth, his last rites will be accorded with state funeral", MK Stalin added. 

Vijayakanth's mortal remains were taken to DMDK headquarters in Koyambedu, Chennai from his residence in Saligramam and thousands of people have gathered before the party office and are paying their last respects to their icon. According to our sources, Vijayakanth's last rites will be held at 4.30 pm on Friday - December 29. Several celebrities are also queuing up to pay their respects to the legendary actor. 

Vijayakanth breathed his last at MIOT Hospital in Chennai on Thursday. He had been under medical treatment for years and he was hospitalized in Chennai two days back for what was said as a 'medical review'. However, his health has attained a critical setback and early on Thursday, the hospital officially announced that Vijayakanth was tested positive for Covid-19 and put on a ventilator support. 

For long-ailing Vijayakanth, the Covid infection came as a shocker as it worsened his health, pushing him to seek a lifesaving support. After getting affected with Covid, the hospital has restricted the visit of more people and we are told that his wife Premalatha and one of his sons were staying with him. In the midst of a close watch from millions of people across the state who waited with bated breath for an update of his health condition, the hospital officially announced that Vijayakanth has breated his last. 

At around 9.00 am on Thursday, the hospital officially issued a bulletin about his death. In its statement, the MIOT hospital said, "Vijayakanth was hospitalized for pneumonia and was getting treated with the ventilator support. In spite of efforts taken by the medical staff, he passed away during the morning hours of December 28." The year 2023 has been terrific for Tamil Nadu as it has lost prominent people like Manobala, Mayilsamy, Marimuthu, Bonda Mani and now Vijayakanth, who will immortally remain as a Captain. 

 

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