Vijayakanth

Vijayakanth, affectionately called Puratchi Kalaignar and Captain by his fans, rose to stardom after overcoming immense challenges in his personal life and career. Born as Vijayaraj on 25 August 1952 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Vijayakanth faced hardships early on. His parents, Azhagarsamy and Andal, had three children. Tragedy struck when his mother passed away while he was just one year old. Under pressure from relatives, Azhagarsamy remarried Rukmani, who cared for young Vijayakanth and eventually gave birth to seven more children. This blended family grew to live harmoniously as a joint family.

Vijayakanth was known for his close friendships during his youth. One of his closest friends, A. Se. Ibrahim Rawther, continues to be a significant figure in his life and is now a prominent film producer. As a teenager, Vijayakanth and his friends often gathered near Sena?s Films, a film distribution company in Madurai. The company?s owner, Marsook, spotted Vijayakanth?s potential and asked if he was interested in acting. Despite initial hesitation, Vijayakanth agreed under the encouragement of his friends.

His first acting opportunity was in the film "Yen Kelvikku Yenna Pathil?", but he was removed from the project because of difficulties delivering Tamil dialogues fluently. Undeterred, Vijayakanth vowed to improve and succeed in the industry. He approached various film companies for roles but faced multiple rejections.

Marsook, who had distributed films by director M.A. Kaja, introduced Vijayakanth to Kaja, leading to his first film, "Inikkum Ilamai". This was followed by movies such as "Thooraththu Idi Muzhakkam", "Neerottam", and "Agal Vilakku", which did not perform well commercially. Despite this, Vijayakanth remained steadfast in his ambition.

His breakthrough came with "Sattam Oru Iruttarai", produced by Chidambaram of Vadaloor Combines and directed by S.A. Chandrasekaran. While some opposed casting Vijayakanth as the lead, Chidambaram stood by his decision. When the film was released, it became a massive success, propelling Vijayakanth to stardom. This success led to him being signed for 18 films in a short period.

However, his career saw a slump during a specific phase. It was the release of "Saatchi", directed by Chandrasekaran and produced by P.S. Veerappa, that revived his market. This film set a new benchmark for success in his career.

Vijayakanth holds a unique record in Tamil cinema, having acted only in Tamil films. All his films were dubbed into Telugu, where they also garnered significant box-office success. His 125th film, "Ulavuththurai", marked a significant milestone. Through his films, Vijayakanth introduced several talents to the industry, including directors like R.K. Selvamani, R. Aravindraj, and Ilavarasan, as well as actors like Mansoor Ali Khan.

One of Vijayakanth?s defining traits has been his unwavering commitment to the Tamil language and culture. He frequently incorporates Tamil pride into his dialogues, speeches, and messages. A famous dialogue written by Kalaignar Karunanidhi, ?Veezhvathu Naamaaga Irunthaalum Vazhvathu Thamizhaaga Irukkattum,? became one of his guiding principles.

In 2005, Vijayakanth entered politics, founding the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) on 14 September during a conference in Madurai. The party quickly gained traction, forming an alliance with the AIADMK. Vijayakanth contested the 2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections and won, representing the Virudhachalam constituency. From 2011 to 2016, he served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

Beyond his professional achievements, Vijayakanth is known for his philanthropic efforts and strong bond with his fans. His inspiring journey from a struggling actor to a celebrated star and political leader continues to resonate with people across Tamil Nadu.

After his death in December 2023, Vijayakanth’s legacy endures through the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and his lasting impact as a rare mass leader who bridged cinema and Dravidian politics in Tamil Nadu.

His hobbies were watching action movies, cricket, and football.