Tamil actor-politician Vijayakanth of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) died in Chennai on Thursday morning, December 28. He was 71. Called lovingly 'Captain' by his fans and the DMDK party cadre, the Tamil cinema stalwart was admitted to the MIOT Hospital in the city and was put on ventilatory support following complications of pneumonia. The news of Vijayakanth's death has come as a big shock to people across Tamil Nadu and the Tamil-speaking people around the world, including the Tamil film fraternity, with many leading names expressing their condolences in person and on social media. Similarly, leading Tamil actor Vishal too paid his tribute, while breaking down in tears saying that he should have been by the veteran's side in his last moments.
Appearing on video, a grief-stricken Vishal said, "I came to hear about 'Captain' Vijayakanth's death. Annae, forgive me. Please forgive me. Honestly, I should be standing by your side, looking at your face once and touching your feet at this time. It's my mistake that I'm not in the country now and for that, please forgive me. People like us doing good is not an ordinary thing. I should be learning that from someone and I learnt that from you. I say this truthfully, I heard about your kind-heartedness nearly 20 years ago and I've heard about it from many people." He continued, "You have provided food to those who are hungry when they come to see you. I too stepped forward to do the same. You've helped this society so much. I'm unable to bear the fact that beyond the loss of a politician or the former Nadigar Sangam president, we have lost a good human being."
Vishal further stated, "After we took responsibility in the Nadigar Sangam and came to see you, Premalatha madam told us that you kept what we gave you in a locker like a treasure. The help and the work you've done for the Nadigar Sangam and the kind of administration that you ran, the courage you showed as a politician, the words you spoke, and the way you functioned, the name you have garnered as an actor... But, earning a name as a human being is no ordinary feat and your name will continue to live on for a long time." He added, "I say this with utmost honesty that I should have been by your side today. I pray that your soul rests in peace. I'll continue to do good. You make me want to keep doing more good in your name. This is something I want to do for you."
Watch Vishal's emotional tribute to Vijayakanth in the video below:
தே.மு.தி.க தலைவர் #Vijayakanth மறைவுக்கு கண்ணீர் மல்க இரங்கல் தெரிவித்த #Vishal@VishalKOfficial #Vijayakanth #Captain #CaptainVijayakanth #DMDK #Galatta pic.twitter.com/2MhJUhEPqW
— Galatta Media (@galattadotcom) December 28, 2023
