Former Tamil actor and DMDK leader Vijayakanth, revered by his fans as 'Captain', died at 71 in a private hospital in Chennai on December 28. He was under ventilator as he had severe breathing difficulties.
Though party sources announced he was diagnosed with Covid-19, Chennai's MIOT Hospital, where he had been admitted since November, said he was suffering from pneumonia. After suffering from cough and throat pain, doctors had kept under observation for 14 days. Hospital sources, cited by new agency PTI, said DMDK released that statement even before the results for the second round of samples were available. THE WEEK could not independently verify reports about Vijayakanth's Covid-19 diagnosis.
Vijayakanth was a member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly twice. He is survived wife Premalatha and sons Shanmukha Pandian and Vijayaprabhakaran. He was born on August 25, 1952 in Madurai and his official name is Vijayaraj Alagarswamy.
Keeping a low-profile for the past four to five years, Vijayakanth was replaced by his wife Premalatha as DMDK's general secretary.