Founder and leader of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and esteemed Tamil actor, Captain Vijayakanth, passed away at the age of 71 in Chennai. Prior to his demise, the party had disclosed his hospitalization and reliance on ventilator support due to respiratory issues. His mortal remains were initially moved to his residence and are scheduled to be later transported to the DMDK office.

Expressions of grief and condolences poured in from celebrities across the nation. Power Star Pawan Kalyan, the head of Jana Sena, conveyed his shock and reminisced about his association with Captain Vijayakanth. In a condolence message, he lamented, "I am saddened to learn of the passing of actor and DMDK chief, Shri Vijayakanth, a stalwart leader. I pray that his soul finds peace. Sri Vijayakanth's films, which carved a niche for themselves in Tamil cinema, were also cherished by the Telugu audience. His roles in action-packed movies intertwined with social themes and family narratives left an indelible mark."

Captain Vijayakanth, driven by a social conscience, founded the DMDK. Pawan Kalyan shared a personal anecdote from 2005 when he witnessed the immediate response of the people in Madurai upon the announcement of Mr. Vijayakanth's party. He commended Vijayakanth's resilience and humanitarian approach in addressing the needs of the people during challenging times. Undeterred by initial setbacks in politics, Vijayakanth demonstrated unwavering determination.

Pawan Kalyan highlighted Vijayakanth's courage in standing up against adversity, both in the face of criticism from fellow film industry peers and as the opposition leader in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Recalling their last meeting in 2014, Pawan Kalyan emphasized that many believed Vijayakanth had the potential to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

As Captain Vijayakanth's health declined, he ultimately breathed his last, prompting Pawan Kalyan to extend his heartfelt condolences to the grieving family. He expressed hope that Vijayakanth's political legacy would be carried forward by his wife, Smt. Premalatha.

శ్రీ విజయకాంత్ గారి ఆత్మకు శాంతి చేకూరాలి - JanaSena Chief Shri @PawanKalyan #Vijayakanth pic.twitter.com/B86HN7GygX

— JanaSena Party (@JanaSenaParty) December 28, 2023