Tamil Nadu Leader And Actor Vijayakanth Passes Away

'Captain Vijayakanth', chief of Tamil Nadu's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) political party, died on 28 December 2023 in a private hospital in Chennai. He was infected with Corona.

• 71 year old Vijayakanth's full name was Narayanan Vijay Raj Alagarswami.
• Vijayraj Alagaraswami was born on 25 August 1952 in Madurai, Madras State (present-day Tamil Nadu).
• He was a big name in Tamil cinema in the 1980s and 1990s.
• He was the Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly from 2011 to 2016.

Vijayakanth's film career:

• Vijayakanth started his film career in 1979.
• He worked in more than 150 films in his film career.
• Inikkum Ilamai (1979) was his first film in which he played the role of villain.
• His fans have called him 'Captain' ever since he portrayed an IFS officer in his 1991 hit film “Captain Prabhakaran”.
• He was honoured with many awards, such as the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil (1989) Kalaimamani Award (2001).

Political career of Vijayakanth:

• Vijayakanth formed his party, Deshi Murpokku Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, in 2005.
• This party was formed as an alternative to the state's DMK and AIADMK.
• His party formed an alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in the 2011 elections and contested in 41 constituencies.
• After the elections, his party emerged as the second-largest party by winning 29 seats. 
• As a result of this, Vijayakanth was the Leader of Opposition between 2011 and 2016.
• Vijayakanth served as a member of the Legislative Assembly twice, representing Virudhachalam (2006) and Rishivandiam (2011) constituencies.