(This article is authored by Alar)

The Tamil film industry and the political arena are in a state of grief as they bid farewell to one of their most beloved and respected figures, Vijayakanth. The actor-politician, who was fondly called as ‘Captain’ by his fans and followers, breathed his last on Thursday morning at the age of 71 in Chennai. He was suffering from multiple health issues and had tested positive for COVID-19 recently.

Among the many who expressed their sorrow and condolences over Vijayakant’s demise was his close friend and fellow actor Kamal Haasan, who wrote a heartfelt tribute in Tamil on his social media post. He called Vijayakant his “beloved brother” and praised him for his humanity, creativity, and bravery.

He wrote in Tamil, "The news of the death of my beloved brother Vijayakanth, the founder of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, a unique actor and captain of Tamil cinema, who was loved by all, is deeply saddened. He lived with humanity in every action. He was the creator of innovative ideas in Tamilnadu politics,"

"He had a helping hand extended to the poor. Fearless courage was his hallmark. Vijayakanth, a revolutionary artist who made his mark in both the fields of cinema and politics, will remain forever in our memories. I offer my heartfelt condolences to all his family, volunteers and fans who are grieving his loss," he added.

It's worth noting Kamal Hassan and Vijayakanth worked together in Manakannakku in 1986. Vijayakanth was a versatile and charismatic star who ruled the silver screen for over three decades, starring in more than 60 films across various genres.

He was known for his action-packed roles, and his powerful dialogue delivery. He was also a generous and humble person who helped many aspiring actors and technicians in the industry. He served as the president of the Nadigar Sangam, the actors’ association, for two terms and was instrumental in resolving many issues faced by the film fraternity.

Vijayakanth founded the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) party in 2005 and became the leader of the opposition in the state assembly in 2011. He was admired for his courage, honesty, and innovative political ideas.

He championed the causes of the poor, the farmers, and the marginalized sections of the society. He also had a strong rapport with other political leaders across party lines. Vijayakant’s death is a huge loss for Tamil Nadu and the country, as he was a source of inspiration and hope for millions of people. He will be remembered as a legend who lived his life with dignity, passion, and grace.

எனது அன்பிற்கினிய சகோதரர், தேசிய முற்போக்குத் திராவிட கழகத்தின் நிறுவனத் தலைவர், தமிழ் சினிமாவின் தனித்துவம் மிக்க நடிகர், கேப்டன் என்று அனைவராலும் அன்பு பாராட்டப்பட்ட விஜயகாந்த் அவர்களின் மறைவுச் செய்தி மிகுந்த துயரத்தைத் தருகிறது.

தன் ஒவ்வொரு செயலிலும் மனிதநேயத்தைக்…

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) December 28, 2023