Vijayakant, actor and DMDK founder, dies at 71

Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) founder Vijayakant, who was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai for pneumonia, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 28. He was 71.

The news of his death was confirmed shortly after the party issued a statement that he was put on ventilator support due to breathing difficulties after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Vijayakant, fondly called ‘Captain’ by his followers, was hospitalized on Nov. 18 for around three weeks as he needed “pulmonary support,” according to the hospital, and was discharged only two weeks ago.

After being discharged, a visibly frail Vijayakant was present at the party executive and general council meeting on December 14, in which party treasurer and wife Premalatha Vijayakanth was elected as the general secretary. It was the last public function he attended.

According to a statement from MIOT Hospital, ‘Captain’ Vijaykant was on ventilatory support following his admission for pneumonia.

Despite the best efforts of medical staff he passed away in the morning on 28 December 2023, the hospital said.

Vijayakant, after MGR, is the only film actor who could achieve a measure of success in politics.

Even though M. Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa also had a veritable film career, they had inherited a party left behind by their mentors C.N. Annadurai and M.G. Ramachandran respectively.