Sharing his eulogy on social media, the Prime Minister wrote, "I have lost a dear friend. Penned a few thoughts on Captain and why he was special."

Narendra Modi's trip to the southern states, where his party BJP is simmering with downfalls and debacles, has come nearly four months ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. 

As Vijayakanth's era has come to an end, Chief Minister MK Stalin took to social media and wrote, "You will live in our hearts forever, my friend." 

Vijayakanth, who was fondly called 'Captain' by his fans and followers, has breathed his last on Thursday at the age of 71 in Chennai due to pneumonia. 

Though Vijayakanth wasn't active in cinema and in politics nearly for a decade, he strongly remained a household name in Tamil Nadu due to which the news of his demise has immensely saddened the whole state.

In the midst of the melancholy brought by Vijayakanth's demise, the party has issued an official statement announcing that Vijayakanth has breathed his last at 6.10 am on Thursday.

Prime Minister Modi 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."

He was also a generous and humble person who helped many aspiring actors and technicians in the industry.

Fondly called as 'Captain' by his millions of fans and followers, Vijayakanth's death has put them in an unabated shock and sorrow. 

Elected from the Thirukoilur constituency in the 2021 assembly polls, Ponmudi had been serving as the Tamil Nadu Minister for Higher Education in MK Stalin's cabinet.