Vijayakanth Wiki, Age, Caste, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Vijayakanth was an Indian politician and a former Tamil actor, producer, and director. He is the founder, president, and general secretary of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) Political party. From 2011 to 2016, he served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

Wiki/Biography

Vijayakanth was born as Narayanan Vijayaraj Alagarswami ^[1]The Economic Times on Monday, 25 August 1952 (age 71 years; at the time of death) in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. His zodiac sign is Virgo. He completed his sixth standard at M.C. High School, seventh and eighth at Devakottai School, ninth from a different school, and tenth and eleventh at St. Mary’s School. He was unable to continue his education past the eleventh standard because he was managing his father’s rice-milling business at that time.

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 7″

Weight (approx.): 70 kg

Hair Colour: Brown

Eye Colour: Dark Brown

Family & Caste

Vijayakanth belonged to a Kamma Naidu family in Madurai. ^[2]The Economic Times

Parents & Siblings

Vijayakanth’s father, K. N. Alagarswami, was a businessman. His mother, Aandal Azhagarswami, passed away a year after giving birth to Vijayakanth. He has three elder siblings. Later, his father married another woman named Rukmani. He has 7 younger step-siblings.

Wife & Children

On 31 January 1990, Vijayakanth got married to Premalatha, a politician. The couple has 2 sons, Shanmuga Pandian, an actor, and Vijay Prabhakar Alagarswami, an internet personality.

Relationships/Affairs

Vijayakanth was rumoured to be dating Radhika Sarathkumar before he got married but he never confirmed his relationship with her. They have starred alongside one another in various films such as Uzhavan Magan (1987), Neethiyin Marupakkam (1985), and Nanne Raja Nanne Mandhiri (1985).

Address

10/12A, Kannammal Street, Kannapiran Colony, Saligiramam, Chennai-600 093

Signature

Career

Actor

In 1979, Vijayakanth made his debut in the film Inikkum Ilamai directed by M. A. Kaja wherein he played the role of an antagonist. He did several other films in the same year. In 1980, his film Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam was screened at the Indian Panorama of the International Film Festival of India, but S. A. Chandrasekhar’s 1981 film Sattam Oru Iruttarai was the one that really made him a commercial hero. The film Sattam Oru Iruttarai was remade in several other languages such as Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. In 1990, he starred in the Tamil language action thriller film Pulan Visaranai which was considered as one of the greatest crime thrillers of Tamil at the time. In 1991, Vijayakanth starred in the film Captain Prabhakaran which was his 100th film. He played the role of an IFS officer in the film Captain Prabhakaran which earned him the nickname ‘Captain.’ In 1993, he co-starred in the Tamil language film Sendhoorapandi with Vijay, the son of director S. A. Chandrasekhar. Chandrasekhar believed that starring his son, Vijay, along with Vijayakanth would be beneficial to propel Vijay’s acting career. In this movie, Vijayakanth made a lengthy cameo appearance for which he did not charge any payment and Vijay ultimately gained immense popularity. In 2000, he made his debut as a producer with the film Vallarasu alongside his brother-in-law,  L. K. Sudheesh, under the company Captain Cine Creations. He then produced various other films in the following years. In 2010, he made his directorial debut with the film Virudhagiri, a remake of the French film Taken. He not only directed but also starred in this movie. Following a five-year break from the big screen, he made a brief cameo in the Tamil language film Sagaptham (2015). This film starred his son, Shanmuga Pandian, which was Shanmuga’s debut film.

Politician

On 14 September 2005, Vijayakanth launched his political party, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), a regional political party in Tamil Nadu. The party follows centre-left ideologies. In 2006, he contested the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections from Vridhachalam constituency on a ticket of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) party and won by a margin of 13,777 votes. His party members contested in all 232 constituencies but managed to win only in the Vridhachalam constituency contested by Vijayakanth. In 2009, the DMDK party contested 40 seats in the 15th Lok Sabha Elections with Vijayakant as the party leader but did not win any seats. In the 2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections, the DMDK party allied with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). The parties contested in 41 constituencies and secured 29 seats in the 14th Tamil Nadu legislative assembly. Vijayakanth won from the Rishivandhiyam constituency and took charge as an MLA for the second time in a row. Vijayakanth became the leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. In 2013, the DMDK party contested 11 seats in the Delhi Legislative Assembly Elections but couldn’t secure any seats. In January 2014, the alliance between AIADMK and DMDK came to an end due to some heated exchanges between Vijayakanth and Jayalalithaa during assembly meetings. In 2014, the DMDK party allied with the BJP and various other parties such as MDMK, PMK, and IJK. They then contested 14 seats in the 16th Lok Sabha Elections with Vijayakant as the party leader but did not win any seats. In 2016, Vijayakanth lost his position as the leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly because eight of his MLAs submitted their resignations to the speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. In 2016, he contested the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections from the Ulundurpettai constituency but did not win. In 2019, the DMDK party contested 4 seats in the 17th Lok Sabha Elections with Vijayakant as the party leader but did not win any seats. In 2021, Vijayakant and his party contested 60 seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections but couldn’t manage to secure any seats.

Controversies

Dispute with Vadivelu

Following an attack by a gang at Vadivelu’s residence on 21 September 2008, Vadivelu filed a case for attempted murder against Vijayakanth. According to Vadivelu, the attack was planned by Vijayakanth as a case was pending in the court between Vijayakanth and Vadivelu, and its hearing was scheduled the following day of the attack. While campaigning for the 2011 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, Vadivelu and Vijayakanth took a dig at each other in various election rallies. ^[3]Indiaglitz

Misbehaviour with a journalist

In December 2015, Vijayakanth spat at a journalist during a press conference and accused the journalist of asking specific questions only to him and not the other party. During the press conference, he said,

I’m standing here chatting you all up and I’m being nice but how about trying to approach her? You’re all scared. Does anyone of you dare ask her to organize a press meet? If your owner asks you to do it, you may, otherwise, you won’t even go miles near her.”

Later, Chennai Press Club filed a complaint against Vijayakanth for his alleged misbehaviour with journalists. ^[4]Firstpost

FIR against Vijayakanth

• 500 Individual Case CC NO:708/2007 – Defamation case- Court: Chief Metropolitan Criminal Court, Egmore, Chennai. Filing date:01.02.2007. Status- Pending.

• 500 Filed by Govt. CC NO:1/2012, Defamation case, Court: Primary District Session Court, Villupuram, Date:25/07/2014.Status: Pending.ByT.P.No:94- 105/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt. CC No. 1/2014, Defamation case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Villupuram, Date:13/12/2012.Status: Pending,ByT.P.No:94- 105/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.2/2012,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Namakkal.Date:05/11/2012.Status : Pending.ByT.P.No:94- 105/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.3/2012,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Tiruppur.Date:03/06/2013.Status : Pending.ByT.P.No:94- 105/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.2/2013,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Sivagangai.Date:02/02/2013.Status : Pending.ByT.P.No:94- 105/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.SC No.1/2013,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Tirunelveli.Date:07/01/2013.Status : Pending.ByT.P.No:94- 105/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.1/2013,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Tiruvallur.Date:28/01/2013.Status : Pending.ByT.P.No:94- 105/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.5/2013,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court,Chennai.Date:13/12/2013.Status : Pending.ByT.P.No:94- 105/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.1/2012,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Udagamandalam.Date:07/11/2012.Status : Pending.ByT.P.No:94- 105/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.1/2013,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Kanniyakumari.Date:28/02/2013.Status : Pending.ByT.P.No:94- 105/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.1/2013,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Tiruppur.Date:24/01/2013.Status : Pending.ByT.P.No:94- 105/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.SC No.17/2013,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Tiruvannamalai.Date:24/01/2013.Status : Pending.ByT.P.No:94- 105/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.1/2012,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Dindigul.Date:17/12/2012.Status : Pending.ByT.P.No:94- 105/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.1/2012,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Thanjavur.Date:23/11/2012.Status : Pending.ByT.P.No:94- 105/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.1/2012,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Theni.Date:30/11/2012.Status : Pending. By W.A.2892/2012 interim injunction from Chennai High Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.2/2012,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, perambalur.Date:23/11/2012.Status : Pending. By W.P.34282/2012 interim injunction from Chennai High Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.1/2012,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Kadalur.Date:30/11/2012.Status : Pending. By W.P.688/2013 interim injunction from Chennai High Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.1/2012,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Pudukottai.Date:16/11/2012.Status : Pending. By W.P.33969/2012 interim injunction from Chennai High Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.2/2012,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Virudhunagar.Date:05/12/2012.Status : Pending. By W.P.1217/2013 interim injunction from Chennai High Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.1/2012,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Dharmapuri.Date:12/12/2012.Status : Pending. By W.P.1529/2013 interim injunction from Chennai High Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.1/2012,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Krishnagiri.Date:26/11/2012.Status : Pending. By W.P.33681/2013 interim injunction from Chennai High Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.12/2012,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Chennai.Date:06/08/2012.Status : Pending.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.14/2013,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Chennai.Date:18/02/2013.Status : Pending.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.52/2014,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Chennai.Date:28/11/2014.Status : Pending. By W.P.(CRL)NO.8/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.32/2016,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Chennai.Date:22/02/2016.Status : Pending. By W.P.(CRL)NO.43/2016 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.1/2015,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Dharmapuri.Date:30/10/2015.Status : Pending. By W.P.(CRL)NO.193/2015 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 500 Filed by Govt.CC No.4/2016,Defamation Case, Court: Primary District and Session Court, Tiruppur.Date:29/02/2016.Status : Pending. By W.P(CRL)NO.43/2016 interim injunction from Supreme Court.

• 341, 323, 294(b), 506(ii) Filed by Govt.CC No.376/2012,Airport Police Station, Meenambakkam, Criminal Court,Alandur,Chennai.Date:27/10/2012.Status :Pending.

• 141, 341, 427, 352, 353, 307, 506(ii) Filed by Govt.CCNo. 459/2013,Kottar Police Station, Court: Criminal CourtII,Nagerkoil,Date:01/07/2013.Status:Pending,By CRL.O.P.NO.21073/2013 interim injunction from High Court.

• 143, 147, 504 Filed by Govt. CC.No.514/2015,3(1) of PPDL Act, Thanjavur Police Station, Court: Thanjavur Criminal Court.Date:28/12/2015,Status :Pending. ^[5]My Neta

Assaulting of a Security personnel

In April 2016, Vijayakanth while on his way to a party meeting was caught hitting a security guard walking towards his right. The incident was caught on camera and was repeatedly aired on TV channels.

Awards & Honours

• In 1986, he won the Filmfare Awards South in the category Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for the film Amman Kovil Kizhakale.

• In 1986, he won the Cinema Express Awards in the category Cinema Express Award for Best Actor – Tamil for the film Amman Kovil Kizhakale.

• In 1988, he won the Cinema Express Awards in the category of Best Character Actor for the film Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran.

• In 1988, he won the Cinema Express Awards in the category of Best Character Actor for the film Senthoora Poove.

• In 1988, he won the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards in the category of Best Actor for the film Senthoora Poove.

• In 1994, he received the MGR Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award for his contribution to Tamil cinema.

• In 1996, he won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for the film Thayagam.

• In 2000, he won the Cinema Express Awards in the category of Best Actor Award for the film Vaanathaippola.

• In 2000, he won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film of the Year for the film Vaanathai Pola.

• In 2000, he won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for the film Vaanathai Pola.

• In 2001, he received the Kalaimamani Award, the highest civilian award in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.

• In 2001, he received the Best Indian Citizen Award from the Citizens of India Forum.

• In 2002, he won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film of the Year for the film Ramanaa.

• In 2009, he received the Top 10 Legends of Tamil Cinema Award for his contribution to Tamil cinema.

• In 2011, he received an Honorary Doctorate from the International Institute of Church Management.

• In 2024, he was posthumously honoured with Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India.

Assets/Properties

Movable Assets

• Cash: Rs. 9,25,000

• Deposits in Banks: Rs. 21,190

• Bonds, Debentures and Shares in companies: Rs. 36,838,011

• Motor Vehicles: Rs. 8,315,000

• Jewellery: Rs. 19,91,520

Immovable Assets

• Agricultural Land: Rs. 4,87,88,000

• Non-Agricultural Land: Rs. 7,12,87,500

• Commercial Buildings: Rs. 7,37,00,000

Note: The net worth was for the year 2016. It excludes the net worth of his wife and dependents (minors). ^[6]My Neta

Net Worth

His net worth is Rs. 11 Crore.

Note: The net worth was for the year 2016. It excludes the net worth of his wife and dependents (minors). ^[7]My Neta

Death

Vijayakumar died on 28 December 2023 due to Pneumonia after being detected COVID-19 positive. ^[8]Variety

Facts/Trivia

• He was given the nicknames Puratchi Kalaignar and Karuppu MGR by his fans. ^[9]The Federal

• The last time he played the role of a villain was in the film Om Shakti (1982), after which he never played an antagonist role in his life.

• He released 18 films in 1984, making him the only actor from the Tamil film industry to do so.

• Vijayakanth deliberately incorporated patriotism into his films during the 1990s before he turned towards politics.

• His 100th film, Captain Prabhakaran (1991), became a silver jubilee hit i.e. it completed a run of 25 weeks in the theatres since its release. The only actors to have achieved this feat are M.G.R., Sivaji Ganesan, and Jayalalithaa.

• Having acted in 154 films, he is one of the most beloved movie stars in the Tamil film industry.

• He is ranked as one of the top 20 greatest Tamil actors of all time by The Cinemaholic.

• In 2001, he founded Shri Andal Alagar College of Engineering in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu.

• On 1 October 2001, Vijayakanth announced that Tamil Nadu would celebrate Actors Day on October 1 to commemorate Sivaji Ganesan’s birthday.

• In 2001, he served as the South Indian Film Artistes’ Association president. During his tenure as the association’s president, he organized celebrity appearances abroad to help the association pay off its debts.

• On 14 April 2010, he launched a 24-hour television channel called Captain TV and two years later he launched a 24-hour news channel called Captain News.

• He often consumes alcohol and has been spotted in a drunken state at various public meetings. ^[10]DNA India

• He has played the role of a police officer in over 20 different films. Thus, creating the record of ‘the most number of times any actor from his era has portrayed a police officer.’

• In the film Bharathan (1992), his dance was choreographed by Prabhu Deva.

• He co-starred with Nalini in the Tamil language film Annai Bhoomi (1985), the first 3D movie in the history of the Tamil cinema industry.

• On 18 November 2023, he was admitted to the Miot Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu due to a throat infection. On 30 November 2023, the hospital authorities updated about his health and said,
  

  Mr. Vijayakanth was showing great improvement. However, over the last twenty-four hours, he showed mild deterioration requiring a small amount of pulmonary support. We continue to be confident that he will show a full recovery. Possible length of stay in hospital is a further fourteen days.” ^[11]The New Indian Express