Kamal Haasan pays rich tribute to Vijayakanth - 'My beloved brother...'

Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan has expressed deep condolence on the passing of seasoned actor Vijayakanth. He posted a lengthy statement remembering Vijayakanth's multifaceted contributions as a trailblazer in both Tamil cinema and politics.

"Vijayakanth was my beloved brother, leader of DMDK, and celebrated Tamil actor, fondly called 'Captain' by all. The news of his death has caused me a lot of pain. He upheld humanity in his every action. He created a new direction in the Tamil Nadu politics. His extensive support for the underprivileged and his fearless persona defined his legacy," said Kamal, while extending his condolence to his family, friends and followers. 

Vijayakanth enjoyed popularity and commercial success on par with Kamal Haasan during the 80s and the 90s. His contribution to Tamil cinema extends beyond his rich cinematic legacy spanning over four decades. 

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Vijayakanth held the position of president at the South Indian Artistes' Association (SIAA), popularly known as the Nadigar Sangam. Throughout his tenure, he successfully navigated the association through a challenging financial situation, clearing a debt of Rs 5 crore at the time by organizing events in foreign countries.

In the late 2010s, Vijayakanth's health took a downturn, affecting both his political and cinematic pursuits. His prolonged battle with illness persisted for years, prompting him to seek medical care in various foreign countries.

ALSO READ: Vijayakanth: From cinema's hero to meme icon, a complex journey of triumphs, flaws and political stature in Tamil Nadu's history

In November, Vijayakanth was hospitalized due to a lung infection and chest congestion. During his stay, he required life support as he grappled with breathing difficulties. After a few weeks of treatment, he was eventually discharged.

Thursday morning saw Vijayakanth being admitted to a hospital in Chennai after testing positive for Covid-19. Tragically, just a few hours later, the hospital declared him dead, citing pneumonia as the cause. He was 71.

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