Vijayakanth Age, Wiki and Bio

Vijayakanth

Quick Info

ProfessionPolitician
NationalityIndian
Date of Birth25/08/1952
Age72 years
BirthplaceMadurai, Tamil Nadu

Bio/Wiki

Birth nameNarayanan Vijayaraj Alagarswami
Stage nameVijayakanth
Nickname(s)
  • Puratchi Kalaignar
  • Captain
  • Karuppu MGR

Physical Stats & More

Height180 cm
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorBlack

Educational Qualification(s)

Qualification10th pass

Personal Life

Marital StatusMarried
Affairs/GirlfriendsRaadhika Sarathkumar (rumoured)
Marriage Date31/01/1990

Family

FatherK. N. Alagarswami (businessman)
MotherAandal Azhagarswami
Step-motherRukmani
SiblingsThree elder siblings, 7 younger step-siblings
SpousePremalatha Vijayakant (costume designer, politician)
Children
Sons
  • Shanmuga Pandian (actor)
  • Vijay Prabhakar (internet personality)
DaughterNone

Career

Politician
Political PartyDesiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK)
Political Journey
14 September 2005 - 28 December 2023President of the DMDK party
26 May 2006 - 14 May 2011MLA of the Virudhachalam constituency
23 May 2011 - 21 May 2016MLA of the Rishivandiyam constituency
27 May 2011 - 21 February 2016Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from the Rishivandiyam constituency
1 June 2014 - 14 December 2023General Secretary of the DMDK party
Actor
DebutFilm (Tamil): Inikkum Ilamai (1979) as Arun
Awards
  • 1986: Filmfare Award for Best Actor - Tamil at Filmfare Awards South for the film 'Amman Kovil Kizhakale'
  • 1986: Cinema Express Award for Best Actor - Tamil at Cinema Express Awards for the film 'Amman Kovil Kizhakale'
  • 1988: Best Character Actor at Cinema Express Awards for the film 'Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran'
  • 1988: Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor for the film 'Senthoora Poove'
  • 1988: Best Character Actor at Cinema Express Awards for the film 'Senthoora Poove'
  • 1994: Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award
  • 1996: Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for the film 'Thayagam'
  • 2000: Best Actor Award at Cinema Express Awards for the film 'Vaanathaippola'
  • 2001: Kalaimamani Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu
  • 2001: Best Indian Citizen Award by Citizens of India Forum
  • 2002: Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film of the year for the film 'Ramanaa'
  • 2009: Top 10 Legends of Tamil Cinema Award at Filmfare of Tamil Cinema Awards
  • 2011: Honorary doctorate by International Institute of Church Management, Florida, USA
  • 2024: Padma Bhushan (posthumously)

Some Lesser Known Facts

Vijayakanth was a prominent Indian actor and politician.
He gained fame for his contributions to the Tamil film industry.
Born into a middle-class family, he developed a love for acting from a young age.
In 1984, he set a record for starring in the most lead roles in Tamil films in a single year.
Vijayakanth founded the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) party in Tamil Nadu.
DMDK, under his leadership, achieved notable success in the 2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections.
He won the Rishivandhiyam constituency in 2011, becoming an MLA for the second time.
Over nearly forty years, he appeared in over 150 Tamil films.
His aspiration was to emulate the success of the legendary actor MGR.
In 2000, he assumed the role of president at the South Indian Film Artistes’ Association.
His portrayal of DSP Deenadayalan in 'Oomai Vizhigal' (1986) received critical acclaim.
He gained recognition for his performance as Ponnan in 'Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam' (1980).
In 'Captain Prabhakaran' (1991), he played the lead character in his 100th film.
He took on more than 20 roles as a police officer in various films.
He was dedicated to offering tuition-free education at his college.
In 2016, he lost his position as Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
During the 2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, he aligned with the AIADMK before parting ways with the party.
In 2020, he tested positive for COVID-19 and struggled with thyroid issues.
Sadly, he passed away at the age of 71 on December 28, 2023, due to pneumonia.