Today is the 66th birthday of veteran actor and politician Vijayakanth who is fondly addressed as Captain` by everyone.

Vijayakanth entered the film industry playing the villain in Inikkum Ilamai` and his first film as the hero was Agal Vilakku`. However he launched himself as a bankable hero with the S.A.Chandarasekar directed Sattam Oru Iruttarai` which became a cult classic and also a blockbuster. Throughout the 1980s Vijayakanth kept acting as the hero in a number of films and arose as a star of his own might. During the late eighties and 90s he posed a tough competition to Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.

In the 1990s Vijayakanth started acting as Police characters and he is still considered as one of the best heroes, who portrayed the cop`s role so effectively on screen. The trend started with Pulan Visaranai` directed by R.K.Selvamani and Vijayakanth`s looks with Kakhi attire became a symbol of magnificence with the films such as Kshathriyan`, Sethupathi IPS` and Maanagara Kaaval`. At the same time Vijayakanth also acted in rural subjects and the R.V.Udhayakumar directed Chinna Gounder` became an all class super hit and remains one of the memorable and revered roles portrayed by captain on screen.

Vijaykanth`s 100th film Captain Prabhakaran` that released in 1991 was a super hit. In the later part of 1990s Vijayakanth started donning one-upmanship roles fighting against terrorism. As a much needed break Vijayakanth submitted himself to the needs of the script in .A.R.Murugadoss directed Ramanaa` which turned out to be a film that garnered appreciations from every nook and corner of the state. This film was also a refreshing change in Vijayakanth`s acting career.

Apart from being a super star Vijayakanth took charge of the South Indian Film Artistes Association (Nadigar Sangam) and bailed it out of various financial debts and the efforts spearheaded by him have proved vital for the Sangam`s continuance.

After Ramanaa` Vijayakanth acted in a few films and slowly turned his attention towards politics. He became an MLA in the first assembly election, he contested in 2006 and from then on he slowly disappeared from silver screen. Today he leads the main opposition party in Tamil Nadu state assembly.

Despite criticisms and trolls in social media Vijayakanth proves to be one of the strongest and bravest leaders in the history of Tamil Nadu politics. There is no denial of the fact that his voice and the support of his party will be a decisive factor in the upcoming elections too.

Indiaglitz wishes the beloved Captain Vijayakanth a Happy Birthday and a healthy life in all the Years to come