Vijaykanth
Encyclopedia
Vijayakanth is an Indian actor and politician. He is the founder of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
and a Member of Legislative Assembly
representing Rishivandiyam
, Tamil Nadu
, India
.
to K. N. Alagarswami and Andal. Alagarswami was Madurai's Councillor for two terms. He married Premalatha on 31 January 1990 and has two sons, Vijay Prabhakar and Shanmuga Pandian. Upon entering the film industry to pursue an acting career, director Khaja (who directed his first film) changed his name to "Amirtaraj" and then "Vijayakanth", dropping the "raj" out of his name and suffixing "kanth". He has also been nicknamed "Captain" and "Puratchi Kalaignar". In 2011 Tamilnadu election his party DMDK won 29 seats out of 41 contested seats and he became the leader of opposition.
his 100th film. Managara Kavaal. Vijayakanth has starred in films including Vanathai Pola, Sethupathi IPS
, Captain Prabhakaran
, Pulan Visaaranai, Oomai Vizhigal, Senthurapoove, Ulavu Thurai, Periyanna, Vallarasu
, Ramana
, Neranja Manasu, and Sathriyan.
Among his 150+ films, the character he played in Vaitheke katherunthal is widely aclaimed as good performance by tamil cinema viwers besides, Amman Koil Kazhakaley. Though he is an action hero in his entire career, in these 2 films one can see a different Vijayakanth. He played a role as "Captain" (retd Indian Army Captain) in a film called " senthorapoove". This gives him the title "captain".
, Chinna Gounder
, Sendhoorappandi, Enga Mudhalaali, Sedhupathi IPS, Thirumoorthi, Alexander
, Thamizh Selvan,Honestraj, Veeram Vilanja Mannu, Ulavuthurai, Periyanna
and Kallazhagar.
, Vaanathai Pola directed by Vikraman, Simhasanam
, Vaanchinathan
, Narasimma, Kannupada Poguthaiya
, Thavasi
, Devan, Thennavan, Rajjiyam, Engal Anna
, Sokkathangam, Ramana
(a blockbuster film directed by A. R. Murugadoss
), Arasangam
(150th film), Sabari,Engal aasan, Mariyathai, and Virudhagiri
(vijayakanth's first directional venture).
(DMDK), a regional political party in Tamil Nadu. He formally announced the party's formation on 14 September 2005 in Madurai. His party contested in all seats in 2006 assembly elections and won one seat contested by him. In 2011 election held on April 13, 2011 he formed an alliance with AIADMK and contested in 41 constituencies. His party saw phenomenal success by winning 29 of the 41 seats it had contested from. It is a significant day in the history of Tamil Nadu as DMDK has won more seats than the DMK and occupied the position of MLA for the second time. Vijayakanth emerged victorious from the Rishivandhiyam constituency in the 2011 state assembly elections.
vehemently campaigned for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
(DMK) and its alliance. During his public speeches, he predominantly condemned Vijayakanth, whose party, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
(DMDK), allied with the opposition party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
(AIADMK), headed by J. Jayalalitha. His allegations of Vijayakanth included him being a "drunkard". In a campaign speech in Tiruvarur, Vadivelu stated that "(his) only aim is to sweep out Vijayakanth’s whole team and to campaign vigorously for DMK’s victory". Vadivelu was criticized as being biased, only supporting a DMK-led victory for personal gains and not once mentioning anything against the official opposition, the AIADMK, or its leader. However in a turn of events, the election was eventually successful for the AIADMK alliance while Vijayakanth was victorious by a significant margin in his own constituency.
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam is a regional political party formed by Tamil film actor Vijayakanth in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu along the lines of the regional Dravidian political parties. He formally announced party formation on September 14, 2005 at Madurai...
and a Member of Legislative Assembly
Member of Legislative Assembly
A Member of Legislative Assembly, or MLA, is a representative elected by the voters of an electoral district to the Legislature of a State in the Indian system of government...
representing Rishivandiyam
Rishivandiyam (State Assembly Constituency)
Rishivandiyam is a state assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu. It is part of Cuddalore Lok Sabha constituency. In 2011 election, it had 204,469 total number of voters. It included 30% Vanniars, 24% Adi Dravidars, 13% Mudaliars, 12% Yadavas, 5% Muslims and 7% Christians.Elections and winners in the...
, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Early life
Vijayakanth was born as Vijayaraj on 25 August 1952 in Tirumangalam, MaduraiMadurai
Madurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital city of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and...
to K. N. Alagarswami and Andal. Alagarswami was Madurai's Councillor for two terms. He married Premalatha on 31 January 1990 and has two sons, Vijay Prabhakar and Shanmuga Pandian. Upon entering the film industry to pursue an acting career, director Khaja (who directed his first film) changed his name to "Amirtaraj" and then "Vijayakanth", dropping the "raj" out of his name and suffixing "kanth". He has also been nicknamed "Captain" and "Puratchi Kalaignar". In 2011 Tamilnadu election his party DMDK won 29 seats out of 41 contested seats and he became the leader of opposition.
Education
Vijayakanth did part of his schooling at M. C. School in Madurai. He later switched over to Devakottai De Britto High School where he was an inmate. Vijayakanth's confidant, Munish Kumar Yellugari, Ibrahim Ravuthar were his school friends. He later switched to St. Marys School, Vickramasingapuram, Tamilnadu,and studied upto 8th standard.He belongs Telugu minority.Acting career
Inikum Ilamai was his first film, which was directed by M. A. Kaja. After this, he acted in Dhooraththu Idi Muzhakkam, Neerottam and Agal Vilakku. He is nicknamed 'Captain' after the 1991 movie Captain PrabhakaranCaptain Prabhakaran
Captain Prabhakaran is a 1991 Tamil action film directed by R. K. Selvamani. It features Vijayakanth in the lead role. It also features Mansoor Ali Khan, Roopini, and Ramya Krishnan. Sarath Kumar appears in a small role. It was Vijayakanth's 100th film; he earned the nickname "Captain" after this...
his 100th film. Managara Kavaal. Vijayakanth has starred in films including Vanathai Pola, Sethupathi IPS
Sethupathi IPS
Sethupathi IPS is a 1994 tamil movie starring Vijayakanth, Meena, and Nambiar. It is a movie on terrorism and the combat against terrorism. The movie was shot in 180 days and entirely in Chennai...
, Captain Prabhakaran
Captain Prabhakaran
Captain Prabhakaran is a 1991 Tamil action film directed by R. K. Selvamani. It features Vijayakanth in the lead role. It also features Mansoor Ali Khan, Roopini, and Ramya Krishnan. Sarath Kumar appears in a small role. It was Vijayakanth's 100th film; he earned the nickname "Captain" after this...
, Pulan Visaaranai, Oomai Vizhigal, Senthurapoove, Ulavu Thurai, Periyanna, Vallarasu
Vallarasu
Vallarasu is a Tamil comedy film released in 2000. The movie stars Vijayakanth, Devayani, Raghuvaran, Karan, Vadivelu and Livingston. The music is by Deva...
, Ramana
Ramana
* Ramana, place in Pakistan.* Chintapalli Ramana, Telugu film writer.* Ramana, Azerbaijan is an urban-type settlement and municipality in Azerbaijan.* Ramana Maharshi, Hindu spiritual figure.* Ramana Reddy, famous Telugu film actor....
, Neranja Manasu, and Sathriyan.
1980s
This period was a dominant part of Vijaykanth in Kollywood. Some of the Vijayakanth superhit films in the eighties include Sattam Sirikkiradhu, Auto Raja, Naan Soottiya Malar, Saatchi, Nalla Naal, Veettukku Oru Kannagai, Nooravathu Naal, Vetri, Madras Vaathiyar, Madurai Sooran, Kudumbam, Naalai Unadhu Naal, Naaney Raja Naaney Mandhiri, Amman Koyil Kizhakkale, Annai En Dheivam, Manakanakku, Oru Iniya Udhayam, Vasantha Raagam, Poomazhai Pozhiyudhu, Sattam Oru Vilaiyaattu, Siraipparavai, Uzhavan Magan, Veera Pandiyan, Therkathi Kallan, Sendhoorappoovey, Meenatchi Thiruvilaiyadal, Ponmana Selvan, Paattukku Oru Thalaivan and En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan.Among his 150+ films, the character he played in Vaitheke katherunthal is widely aclaimed as good performance by tamil cinema viwers besides, Amman Koil Kazhakaley. Though he is an action hero in his entire career, in these 2 films one can see a different Vijayakanth. He played a role as "Captain" (retd Indian Army Captain) in a film called " senthorapoove". This gives him the title "captain".
1990s
Vijaykanth acted in a good number of blockbuster films in the nineties also. Some of them are Pudhu Paadagan, Pulanvisaranai, Sathriyan, Captain PrabhakaranCaptain Prabhakaran
Captain Prabhakaran is a 1991 Tamil action film directed by R. K. Selvamani. It features Vijayakanth in the lead role. It also features Mansoor Ali Khan, Roopini, and Ramya Krishnan. Sarath Kumar appears in a small role. It was Vijayakanth's 100th film; he earned the nickname "Captain" after this...
, Chinna Gounder
Chinna Gounder
Chinna Gounder is a 1992 Tamil language film directed by R. V. Udayakumar and starring Vijayakanth, Suganya, Manorama, Goundamani, Senthil and Vadivelu.-Plot:...
, Sendhoorappandi, Enga Mudhalaali, Sedhupathi IPS, Thirumoorthi, Alexander
Alexander
Alexander is a common male first name, and less common surname. The most famous is Alexander the Great, the King of Macedon who created one of the largest empires in ancient history.- Origin :...
, Thamizh Selvan,Honestraj, Veeram Vilanja Mannu, Ulavuthurai, Periyanna
Periyanna
-Plot:Suriya, the main character, killed the villains who murdered his family and has been sent to jail. During his time in jail a well-respected collector celebrates his daughter's birthday in the prison. The collector's daughter is impressed by Surya's talent in singing and convinces her father...
and Kallazhagar.
2000s
VallarasuVallarasu
Vallarasu is a Tamil comedy film released in 2000. The movie stars Vijayakanth, Devayani, Raghuvaran, Karan, Vadivelu and Livingston. The music is by Deva...
, Vaanathai Pola directed by Vikraman, Simhasanam
Simhasanam
Simhasanam or Simhaasanam is a South Indian Telugu film released in 1986 with double action by super star Krishna, who also directed the movie. The film was simultaneously made in Hindi as Singhasan. The film is a Block buster and broke many records in Telugu film industry. The film is based on...
, Vaanchinathan
Vaanchinathan
Vaanchinathan is a Tamil action film directed by Shaji Kailas in his tamil debut. It stars Vijayakanth, Sakshi Shivanand Ramya Krishnan and Prakash Raj pivotal roles.-Plot:...
, Narasimma, Kannupada Poguthaiya
Kannupada Poguthaiya
Kannupada Poguthaiya is a 1999 Tamil film starring Vijayakanth, Simran, Karan, Sivakumar, Lakshmi, Charle, Radha Ravi, Anandaraj, Jaiganesh, Ponnambalam, Satyapriya, Radhika Chowdry and directed by Barathi Ganesh. The score and soundtrack was composed by S. A. Rajkumar...
, Thavasi
Thavasi
Thavasi is a 2001 Tamil action film directed by Udaya Shankar and produced by Jayaprakash. The film features Vijayakanth in dual lead roles as father and son, with Soundarya, Jayasudha and Pratyksha in other pivotal roles...
, Devan, Thennavan, Rajjiyam, Engal Anna
Engal Anna
Engal Anna is an Indian Tamil film released in 2004. It is the Tamil version of the Malayalam film Chronic Bachelor.-Plot:The film opens with a flashback showing the family feud between families of Sathyaprathapan and Bhavani . Sathyaprathapan and Bhavani are in love. The murder of Bhavani's...
, Sokkathangam, Ramana
Ramana
* Ramana, place in Pakistan.* Chintapalli Ramana, Telugu film writer.* Ramana, Azerbaijan is an urban-type settlement and municipality in Azerbaijan.* Ramana Maharshi, Hindu spiritual figure.* Ramana Reddy, famous Telugu film actor....
(a blockbuster film directed by A. R. Murugadoss
A. R. Murugadoss
A. R. Murugadoss is an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter.-Early life:A. R. Murugadoss was born in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu. He studied B.A. in Bishop Heber College, Trichy. In the College he had the great affinity towards Tamil films and friends...
), Arasangam
Arasangam
Arasangam is a 2008 Tamil mystery-adventure film directed by R. Madhesh. The film stars Vijayakanth in the lead role, making this his 150th film, along with Navaneet Kaur, Sheryl Brindo, Rahul Dev, Biju Menon, Sriman, and Riyaz Khan. Produced by L. K...
(150th film), Sabari,Engal aasan, Mariyathai, and Virudhagiri
Virudhagiri
Virudhagiri is a 2010 Indian Tamil action film written and directed by Vijayakanth, making his directorial debut, besides playing the titular character as well. The film, co-starring Madhuri Idaki, Arun Pandian and Mansoor Ali Khan among others, released on 10 December 2010. The film is a remake of...
(vijayakanth's first directional venture).
Political career
He formed the center-left winged Desiya Murpokku Dravida KazhagamDesiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam is a regional political party formed by Tamil film actor Vijayakanth in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu along the lines of the regional Dravidian political parties. He formally announced party formation on September 14, 2005 at Madurai...
(DMDK), a regional political party in Tamil Nadu. He formally announced the party's formation on 14 September 2005 in Madurai. His party contested in all seats in 2006 assembly elections and won one seat contested by him. In 2011 election held on April 13, 2011 he formed an alliance with AIADMK and contested in 41 constituencies. His party saw phenomenal success by winning 29 of the 41 seats it had contested from. It is a significant day in the history of Tamil Nadu as DMDK has won more seats than the DMK and occupied the position of MLA for the second time. Vijayakanth emerged victorious from the Rishivandhiyam constituency in the 2011 state assembly elections.
Dispute with Vadivelu
During the legislative assembly elections that took place in Tamil Nadu during the month of April in 2011, actor VadiveluVadivelu
Vadivelu , often referred to as Vadivel, is a Tamil film actor,comedian and playback singer. Since 2000, he has acted as a comedian in various Tamil films. During his career, Vadivelu has won several Filmfare Awards and Tamil Nadu State Film Awards...
vehemently campaigned for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a state political party in the states of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, India. It is a Dravidian party founded by C. N. Annadurai as a breakaway faction from the Dravidar Kazhagam headed by Periyar...
(DMK) and its alliance. During his public speeches, he predominantly condemned Vijayakanth, whose party, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam is a regional political party formed by Tamil film actor Vijayakanth in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu along the lines of the regional Dravidian political parties. He formally announced party formation on September 14, 2005 at Madurai...
(DMDK), allied with the opposition party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a state political party in the states of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, India. The party was founded by M. G. Ramachandran and is now headed by J. Jayalalithaa. The party headquarters is in Royapettah, Chennai, and was gifted to the party in 1986 by its...
(AIADMK), headed by J. Jayalalitha. His allegations of Vijayakanth included him being a "drunkard". In a campaign speech in Tiruvarur, Vadivelu stated that "(his) only aim is to sweep out Vijayakanth’s whole team and to campaign vigorously for DMK’s victory". Vadivelu was criticized as being biased, only supporting a DMK-led victory for personal gains and not once mentioning anything against the official opposition, the AIADMK, or its leader. However in a turn of events, the election was eventually successful for the AIADMK alliance while Vijayakanth was victorious by a significant margin in his own constituency.
Awards and honors
- 1986 – Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award for Amman Kovil KizhakaleAmman Kovil KizhakaleAmman Kovil Kizhakale is a 1986 Indian Tamil language film starring Vijayakanth, Radha - Soundtrack :* Chinnamani Kuyile - S. P. Balasubramaniam* Kaalai Nera - S. P. Balasubramaniam, S. Janaki* Namma Kada Veedhi - S. P. Balasubramaniam...
- 1996 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award (Special Prize)Tamil Nadu State Film Award (Special Prizes)The Tamil Nadu State Film Award are given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won....
for Thayagam - 2001 – KalaimamaniKalaimamaniThe Kalaimamani is an award in Tamil Nadu state, India. These awards are given by the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Manram for excellence in the field of art and literature....
Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu - 2003 – Cinema Express Best Actor Award for Vanathai Pola
- 2006 – Indian Government's Best Citizen Award
- 2009 – FilmfareFilmfareFilmfare is an English-language tabloid-sized magazine about Indian cinema. Published by The Times Group, India's largest media services conglomerate, in Mumbai , it highlights the doings of the Bollywood film scene...
Top 10 Legends of Tamil Cinema Award - 2011 – Honorary doctorate
Filmography
Vijayakanth has acted in 153 movies, in which many films featured him as a cop.External links
- DMDK official website
- Article on Vijaykanth's political foray
- http://www.newindpress.com/column/News.asp?Topic=-97&Title=S%2EGurumurthy&ID=IE620060515112959&nDate=5/16/2006&Sub=&Cat=& Article on Vijaykanth's political foray and election results in The New Indian ExpressThe New Indian ExpressThe New Indian Express is an Indian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper published by the Express Publications. It was founded in 1932 as the Indian Express, under the ownership of Chennai-based P. Varadarajulu Naidu. In 1991, following the death of the then owner Ramnath Goenka, the Goenka...
]