Actor and politician Narayanan Vijayaraj Alagarswami (25 August 1952 – 28 December 2023), popularly known by his stage name Vijayakanth, was primarily involved in Tamil film. Amman Kovil Kizhakale (1986), Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984), Senthoora Poove (1988), Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran (1988), Pulan Visaranai (1990), Chinna Gounder (1992), Honest Raj (1994), Thayagam (1996), and Vaanathaippola (2000) are among his noteworthy roles. He is the recipient of three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards South. In 2001, he and Kalaimamani received Tamil Nadu’s Highest Civilian Award.
| Full Name | Vijayakanth |
| Date of Birth | 25 Aug 1952 |
| Died | 28 December 2023, Chennai |
| Place of Birth | Thirumangalam, Madurai |
| Education | 10th Pass |
| Profession | Politician & Actor |
| Parents | K. N. Alagarswami Naidu, Aandal Azhagarswami |
| Spouse | Premalatha Vijayakanth (m. 1990) |
| Children | 2 Son’s |
In 1988, Vijayakanth won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Senthoora Poove. For his performance in Thayagam, he received the 1996 Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize. In addition, he received one Filmfare Awards South and two Cinema Express Awards. He went by the moniker “Captain” in the film industry.
From 2011 to 2016, Vijayakanth led the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. He was the founder and head of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) political party. From 2006 until 2016, he was elected as a member of parliament twice, once for the Virudhachalam and once for the Rishivandiyam constituencies.
Early Life
On August 25, 1952, Vijayakanth was born in Madurai as Vijayaraj Alagarswami. K. N. Alagarswami and Aandal Azhagarswami were his parents. On January 31, 1990, he wed Premalatha. Together, they have two sons: Shanmuga Pandian, an actor who appeared in the films Madura Veeran (2018) and Sagaptham (2015).
Acting Career
Throughout his career, Vijayakanth remained one of the very few Tamil actors to exclusively appear in Tamil films. Most of his films have had Telugu and Hindi dubbings. In the cinema industry, Vijayakanth was referred to be a “revolutionary artist” or “Puratchi Kalingar”. In his movies, he was also well-known for playing a dual part and projecting a patriotic, small-town good guy image. Several declined to collaborate with him, and talented filmmakers did not show up to produce movies. He played police officers in almost 20 different motion pictures. His most well-known works were low-budget movies featuring gravity-defying feats in which he would defeat his opponents all by himself.
The themes of corruption, integrity, and maintaining one’s word were prevalent in most of his films. His commitment to his trade was demonstrated by the three shifts he worked each day. To help the struggling producers, Vijayakanth occasionally refused to accept payments or only took them after they were due. More significantly, he didn’t make an effort to make these known so that everyone may see them for themselves and be inspired. After deciding to pursue a profession in acting and joining the film industry, he changed his name to “Vijayakanth,” removing the “Raj” from it and adding “Kanth” to it. His first film was M. A. Kaja’s Inikkum Ilamai (1979). After that, he found popularity with S. A. Chandrasekhar’s Sattam Oru Iruttarai (1981), which he usually worked on films with.
1979 to 1989: Early Career
Vijayakanth played an antagonist in his first movie, directed by M. A. Kaja, titled Inikkum Ilamai (1979). His next three movies, Saamanthippoo (1980), Neerottam (1980), and Agal Vilakku (1979), were box office failures. His 1980 film Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam was shown at the International Film Festival of India’s Indian Panorama. But S. A. Chandrasekhar’s 1981 film Sattam Oru Iruttarai was the one that really made him a commercial hero. The Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada versions were remade. During his early years, Vijayakanth appeared in films like Sivappu Malli (1981) and Jadhikkoru Needhi (1981) that portrayed radical and revolutionary ideas. He did a fantastic job portraying the irate young revolutionaries in these movies.Next, he performed as a villain.
He began his acting career slowly, appearing in commercial motion pictures with action, romantic, and sentimental themes. He eventually became well-known and starred in several huge hits, including Vaidhegi Kaathirunthaal (1984) and Nooravathu Naal (1984). He has eighteen releases this year. He established himself as the leading man in Tamil cinema to have the most films released in a single year. Actor Tiger Prabhakar from Kannada and actor Radha Ravi starred in the first 3D film in the Tamil film industry, Annai Bhoomi 3D (1985). In the 1985 film Eetti, he acted alongside Kannada great actor Vishnuvardhan. Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri (1985), a romantic comedy, was a commercial success.
For his performance in Amman Kovil Kizhakale (1986), Vijayakanth won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor in a Tamil film. In addition, he starred in the lone movie with Kamal Haasan and Vijayakanth, Manakanakku (1986), and the cult masterpiece Oomai Vizhigal (1986). It presented him in an odd role as an elderly police officer. He emerged as an unquestionable rival of industry veterans Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. He co-starred in Veerapandiyan (1987) with Sivaji Ganesan. He then went on to make popular films in the roles of Cooliekkaran, Veeran Veluthambi, Ninaive Oru Sangeetham, Sattam Oru Vilayaattu, and Uzhavan Magan. He performed in movies such Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran, Nallavan, and Therkathi Kallan in 1988. Vijayakanth took home the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor for Senthoora Poove.
1990 to 1999: Action roles
Even though he was more well-known as an action hero in Pulan Visaranai, which starred R. Sarathkumar as the antagonist, Vijayakanth thrived in a number of roles across a range of genres in the 1990s. This R. K. Selvamani-directed Tamil criminal thriller was regarded as one of the greatest at the time.
Sathriyan, a Mani Ratnam-produced blockbuster cop drama about an upright police officer and a dishonest politician, starring Vijayakanth. Following Pulan Visaranai’s popularity, Rowther chose to work with Vijayakanth and director R. K. Selvamani on a new film called Captain Prabhakaran (1991). Vijayakanth played an IFS officer in his 100th movie, which led to him being dubbed “Captain” ever since.
He was the only actor, following M.G.R., Sivaji Ganesan, and Jayalalithaa, to have experienced a silver jubilee hit in his 100th film. Following the commercial success of the film upon its release, Maanagara Kaaval (1991) and Moondrezhuthil En Moochirukkum (1991) were released. Working on movies like 1992’s Chinna Gounder was Vijayakanth. Vijayakanth was playing a different part in this movie than he had in previous ones. of a mild-mannered village chief. In the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film, this movie came in third place, behind Bharathan (1992), Thai Mozhi (1992), and Kaviya Thalaivan (1992).
Additionally, he portrayed a variety of characters in the 1993 films Rajadurai, Sakkarai Devan, Ezhai Jaathi, Koyil Kaalai, and Enga Muthalali. In the 1993 film Senthoorapandi, he costarred with Vijay, the son of director S. A. Chandrasekhar, as the older brother of Vijayakanth. Director SAC believed that working with Vijayakanth will help Vijay’s film career. In this movie, Vijayakanth made a lengthy cameo appearance for which he received no payment. He became quite popular.
Film Awards
| 1986 | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil |
| 1986 | Cinema Express Award for Best Actor – Tamil |
| 1988 | Best Character Actor |
| 1996 | Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize |
| 2000 | Best Actor Award |
2000 to 2009: Experienced Roles
Vijayakanth kept up his winning ways in the 2000s with popular movies like Vikraman’s rural family drama Vaanathai Pola, which took home two honors: the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film of the Year. Simmasanam and Vallarasu came after this. Following this year, he appeared in action movies once again, including Shaji Kailas’ Vaanchinathan (2001) and Narasimha (2001). Next came the hamlet drama Thavasi (2001) and Viswanathan Ramamoorthy (2001), in which he had a brief role. Critics gave each of these movies varying reviews when they were released in theaters.
In 2002, he starred alongside the actor in Raajjiyam, which was directed by Arun Pandian, and then in Devan. He played an understated realistic action hero in filmmaker AR Murugadoss’s Ramanaa, giving life to the character of an anti-corruption crusader. He became a commercial hit and received the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film of the Year. He released two films in 2003: the political feature Thennavan and the family drama Chokka Thangam. He starred in the critically acclaimed comedy-drama Engal Anna in 2004 , although Gajendra and Neranja Manasu got unfavorable reviews. Afterwards, he made a cameo in Suriya’s 2005 film Maayavi. He appeared in three action movies in 2006: Dharmapuri, Perarasu, and Sudesi.
He starred in Sabari (2007) the next year. His 150th movie, Arasangam (2008), was filmed in Chennai and Toronto and tells the story of a police detective who tracks down and solves the mystery of a terrorist gang that is planning to steal secrets regarding the expansion of the Indian economy. After Vaanathai Pola and the action thriller Engal Aasan (2009), he acted in the drama Mariyadhai (2009), which was his second film with director Vikraman. In both films, he co-starred with actor Vikranth, who is Vijay’s cousin. During his thirty-year career as a movie star, Vijayakanth was honored with a Filmfare Top 10 Legends of Tamil Cinema Award this year.
2010 to 2015: Later Projects
The 2010 film Virudhagiri, a remake of the French film Taken, starred Vijayakanth in both acting and directing roles. Following a five-year break from the screen, he had a brief cameo in Sagaptham (2015), the debut feature of actor Shanmuga Pandian, with his son. He returned to acting in November 2015, costarring with his son Shanmuga Pandian in Arun Ponnambalam’s Thamizhan Endru Sol, his second feature film. Production on the movie, which had been put on hold due to Vijayakanth’s failing health and the impending TN Assembly elections, had started in November 2015.
One of the most loved movie stars in the Tamil cinema industry, Vijayakanth appeared in 154 films. The Cinemaholic ranked him as one of the greatest 20 Tamil actors of all time.
Political Career
In Tamil Nadu, he founded the regional political party Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), which leans center-left. In an official statement, he declared the party’s foundation in Madurai on September 14, 2005. 38 In the 2006 assembly elections, his party ran for every seat, and it won the one he ran for. With 10% of the vote in the 2006 Tamil Nadu assembly election and 10.1% in the current Lok Sabha election, Vijaykanth’s DMDK emerged as a significant contender. It received more votes than the candidates’ winning margins in roughly twenty-five constituencies, the survey found. While polls in 2006 indicated that DMDK had garnered more DMK votes than AIADMK votes, they were able to secure the support of more 2004 Congress supporters in this election.
greater than any other group. There was no evidence to support the assertion made by many in the AIADMK side that DMDK was to blame for the loss. Vijayakanth said that he would not be accepting donations for his party and that the majority of the money will come from his own resources. He was against forming coalitions with other political groups. DMDK received almost 17,000 votes in a by-election to the Madurai Central Assembly constituency, which was only 2000 fewer than AIADMK. Additionally, DMDK was successful in gaining a sizable number of seats in the local body elections.
He forged an alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) for the 2011 election, which was conducted on April 13, 2011, and ran in 41 seats. After contesting for 41 seats, his party was successful in gaining 29 of them. Interestingly, DMDK outpolled Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in terms of seats won. After winning the Rishivandhiyam seat, Vijayakanth became the MLA for a second time. Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) was persuaded to form an alliance with AIADMK by Cho Ramaswamy. In an intense campaign against the ruling DMK, the DMDK called for all parties to unite at a meeting on January 8 in Salem, which was chaired by Vijayakanth, the party’s chairman. The head of Pattali Makkal Katchi, S. Ramadoss, stated his discontent with those in the film business who have ruled Tamil Nadu since 1967. With his lengthy experience as an actor in Tamil, he also pleaded with people not to support Vijayakanth.
The breach between the two parties began with exchanges between Jayalalithaa and Vijayakanth in the assembly after the election. This led to Vijayakanth’s split from the AIADMK. DMDK formed an alliance with BJP in the 2014 parliament elections, which included small parties like MDMK, PMK, IJK, and others. This coalition was non-DMK and non-ADMK. During the NDA leaders’ meeting, PM Modi mentioned him specifically and called him a buddy. As eight of his MLAs tendered their resignations to the speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, DMDK Leader Vijayakanth was removed from his role as Leader of Opposition in the legislature.
2016 Election
In the 2016 election, he lost both his deposit and his seat.[54] He was a two-time MLA from Tamil Nadu’s Vilupuram district, running from the Ulundurpettai seat in 2006 and 2011. With just 34,447 votes, he was able to finish third.[55] With 81,973 votes, R. Kumaraguru of the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) won the seat. G.R. Vasanthavel, a candidate for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), was his closest competitor, with 77,809 votes to place second.
Honours
| 1994 | Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award |
| 2001 | Kalaimamani Award |
| 2001 | Best Indian Citizen Award |
| 2009 | Top 10 Legends of Tamil Cinema Award |
| 2011 | honorary doctorate |
Controversy
A long-running conflict between Vijayakanth and humorous actor Vadivelu, who costarred with Vijayakanth in several well-known movies, was extensively reported by the media. A group of people attacked Vadivelu’s home in Saligramam, Chennai, on September 21, 2008, with stones, breaking multiple windows and injuring furniture. According to Vadivelu, he had filed a lawsuit against Vijayakanth for assault, the final hearing of which was scheduled for the following day, and as a result, he assumed it was Vijayakanth’s men. Vadivelu expressed his desire to run against Vijayakanth in the upcoming assembly elections and “teach him a lesson” while filing a second case for attempted murder.
In 2011, Vadivelu vigorously campaigned for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its allies in the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly elections. He criticized Vijayakanth’s party, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), for being associated with the opposition party, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), mostly in his public remarks. “(His) only aim was to sweep out Vijayakanth’s whole team and to campaign vigorously for DMK’s victory,” Vadivelu declared at a campaign speech in Tiruvarur. Vadivelu faced criticism for his perceived partiality, as he solely backed the DMK-led triumph for his own benefit, neglecting to bring up the AIADMK, which was the official opposition at the time, or its leader, J. Jayalalitha. In an unexpected development, the AIADMK alliance won the election, and Vijayakanth won by a sizable margin.
Death and Reactions
At the age of 71, Vijayakanth passed away at a Chennai hospital on December 28, 2023, from pneumonia. After testing positive for COVID-19, he was receiving ventilator support. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, Former Vice-President of India Venkaiah Naidu, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Rajnath Singh, Piyush Goyal, Anurag Thakur, L. Murugan, President of the BJP J. P. Nadda,
Congressmen Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Governor of Tamil Nadu R. N. Ravi, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, Opposition Leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Former Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of Puducherry N. Rangaswamy, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka D. K. Shivakumar, Governor of Telangana party chiefs and the film community expressed sympathy and final respects on his passing. For his funeral, the Tamil Nadu State Government has planned full state honors.
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