“Renowned Tamil Actor and DMDK Founder, ‘Captain’ Vijayakanth, Succumbs to Pneumonia and COVID-19

Chennai mourns the loss of Captain Vijayakanth, as Miot Hospital confirms his demise after a battle with pneumonia, supported by ventilator assistance. The former actor, known for his versatile roles in 154 films, transitioned to politics in 2005 by establishing the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK).

Vijayakanth’s health had been a concern for the past 4-5 years, leading to a low-profile presence. His wife, Premalatha, took over as the DMDK’s general secretary on December 14. Despite facing challenges, the party marked its political impact in the 2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, gaining significance in subsequent years.

Fondly nicknamed ‘Captain’ for his on-screen military portrayals, Vijayakanth’s foray into politics saw notable success in the 2011 elections, where the DMDK became the principal Opposition Party. Vijayakanth served as the leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly from 2011-2016.

While the DMDK joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, internal challenges and leader defections affected its electoral performance in later years. The passing of Captain Vijayakanth marks the end of an era in Tamil cinema and politics.”