Remembering Captain Vijayakanth on his birth anniversary: Tamil Cinema’s action star and political stalwart

Audiences loved and appreciated Vijayakanth despite his villainous roles.

Late actor-politician Captain Vijayakanth has left behind a remarkable legacy following his passing in 2023, with tributes and heartfelt wishes pouring in to commemorate his birth anniversary.

Audiences loved and appreciated Vijayakanth despite his villainous roles. His lead performance in Om Sakthi (1982) left a lasting impression on the commercial film industry. By 1984, he had created a record by starring in 18 films within a single year, showcasing his dedication and versatility.

Born as Vijayraj Alagarswamy in Madurai, Captain Vijayakanth primarily made his mark in the Tamil film industry, though many of his films were dubbed in Telugu and Hindi, reaching audiences beyond Tamil Nadu.

Vijayakanth began his cinematic journey in 1979 with M.A. Kazha’s Inikkum Ilamai, but it was S.A. Chandrasekhar’s Sattam Oru Iruttarai that brought him widespread recognition. Interestingly, he was given the title of ‘Captain’ after completing his 100th film. Following his lead role in Captain Prabhakaran, fans celebrated him with this new moniker, which remained associated with him throughout his career.

Over a cinematic career spanning more than three decades, Captain Vijayakanth appeared in a total of 154 films across diverse genres, including patriotic dramas, high-octane action thrillers, family entertainers, and experimental cinema, cementing his position as one of Tamil cinema’s stalwarts.

On September 14, 2005, Vijayakanth entered politics by founding the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) party. After gaining one seat and ten percent of the vote in the state assembly elections, he became a prominent political figure in Tamil Nadu within a year. Vijayakanth became a legitimate political leader when his party, operating on its own, demonstrated its strength in local body elections.

Vijayakanth joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in 2011 and ran in 41 constituencies, winning 29 of them. He also had a big influence on the DMK's seat total for that year.

Throughout his illustrious career, Captain Vijayakanth received numerous accolades, including two Filmfare Best Actor awards. Posthumously, in January 2024, he was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honor.

Also read: Inspector Zende Trailer: Manoj Bajpayee brings back Mumbai’s forgotten cop legend, Jim Sarbh essays criminal mastermind

Earlier, in 1994, he was honored with the Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award, and in 2001, he received the prestigious Kalaimamani Award, recognizing his immense contributions to cinema and society.

Captain Vijayakanth’s enduring impact on both cinema and politics continues to be remembered and celebrated, reflecting a life dedicated to excellence, versatility, and public service.