Narayanan Vijayaraj Alagarswami (25 August 1952 – 28 December 2023), better known by his stage name Vijayakanth, was an Indian politician and actor who worked predominantly in Tamil cinema. His notable roles include Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984), Amman Kovil Kizhakale (1986), Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran (1988), Senthoora Poove (1988), Pulan Visaranai (1990), Chinna Gounder (1992), Honest Raj (1994), Thayagam (1996) and Vaanathaippola (2000). He Has Won Two Filmfare Awards South and Three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. He was Awarded With Kalaimamani on 2001, The Highest Civilian Award in Tamil Nadu. For his role in Senthoora Poove, Vijayakanth won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor in 1988. In 1996, he was awarded the Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for his role in Thayagam. He was also the recipient of two Cinema Express Awards and one Filmfare Awards South. He was nicknamed as "Captain" among film fraternity. Vijayakanth was the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 2011 to 2016. He was the founder and president of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) Political party and served as a MLA twice representing the constituency of Virudhachalam and Rishivandiyam respectively from 2006 to 2016.Vijayakanth was cast in Inikkum Ilamai (1979), his first film where he played an antagonist, which was directed by M. A. Kaja. His subsequent films Agal Vilakku (1979), Neerottam (1980) and Saamanthippoo (1980) were box-office flops.[19] His film Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam (1980), was screened at the Indian Panorama of the International Film Festival of India. However the film that strongly launched him as a commercial hero was Sattam Oru Iruttarai (1981), directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar. It was remade in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada languages. In his formative years, Vijayakanth acted in films carrying revolutionary and radical thoughts such as Sivappu Malli (1981) and Jadhikkoru Needhi (1981). In these films, he brilliantly portrayed the angry young revolutionist characters.[citation needed] He then played a villain role in Om Shakti (1982) but after which he never portrayed antagonist characters in his career.
Vijayakanth was born as Vijayaraj Alagarswami in Madurai on 25 August 1952.[6][7] His parents were K. N. Alagarswami and Aandal Azhagarswami.[8] He married Premalatha on 31 January 1990 and had two sons, including Shanmuga Pandian, an actor who starred in Sagaptham (2015) and Madura Veeran (2018)Slowly he started acting in commercial films on action, romance and sentimental themes and gradually rose to the top and with many super hit films like Nooravathu Naal (1984) and Vaidhegi Kaathirunthaal (1984). This year, he had 18 releases. He became the Tamil cinema actor to release the most films in a year in the lead role.[21] He acted in Annai Bhoomi 3D (1985), the first 3D film made in the Tamil film industry where he acted alongside Radha Ravi and Kannada actor Tiger Prabhakar. He co-starred with Kannada superstar actor Vishnuvardhan in Eetti (1985). The romantic comedy Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri (1985) was a commercial success. Vijayakanth acted in Amman Kovil Kizhakale (1986), which earnt him a Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. He also acted in Manakanakku (1986), the only film where Kamal Haasan and Vijayakanth worked together, followed by Oomai Vizhigal (1986) which became a cult classic. It portrayed him in an unusual role of an aged cop. He became an indisputable competitor of stalwarts Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.[22] In 1987, he co-starred with Sivaji Ganesan in Veerapandiyan, followed by successful movies as Cooliekkaran, Veeran Veluthambi, Ninaive Oru Sangeetham, Sattam Oru Vilayaattu and Uzhavan Magan.[citation needed] In 1988, he worked in films such as Therkathi Kallan, Nallavan and Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran. In Senthoora Poove, Vijayakanth won a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor. In 1989, he also starred in two other super hit films such as Paattukku Oru Thalaivan and Ponmana Selvan. This followed the crime thrillerRajanadai and the Hindu devotional film Meenakshi Thiruvilayadal.[citation needed] 1990 to 1999: Action roles Throughout the 1990s, Vijayakanth excelled in versatile roles in a variety of films falling under various genres though he was more popular as an action hero including Pulan Visaranai and had R. Sarathkumar portraying the antagonist.[23] Directed by R. K. Selvamani, this film was considered to be one of the best Tamil crime thrillers of its time.
Vijayakanth was one of very few Tamil actors to have acted only in Tamil films throughout his career. His films have mostly been dubbed into Telugu and Hindi. Vijayakanth had the title "Puratchi Kalaignar" (revolutionary artist) in the film industry.[11] He was also known for portraying a patriotic, village do-gooder and dual role acting in his films. Many refused to play with him and great filmmakers did not show up to make films. He acted in more than 20 films as a police officer.[12] He was best known for low-budget films that showcased gravity-defying stunts in which he would single-handedly dispatch his enemies.[13] Most of his films revolved around corruption, honesty and keeping up promises.[14] He worked 3 shifts per day and that was his dedication towards his craft.[citation needed] Vijayakanth took delayed remunerations and sometimes didn't take them at all to benefit the struggling producers. More importantly, he didn't try to publicise these and let the world see it for themselves and take inspiration.[15] Upon entering the film industry to pursue an acting career, he changed to "Vijayakanth", dropping the "Raj" out of his name and suffixing it with "Kanth," by his first film M. A. Kaja's Inikkum Ilamai (1979).[16] He then had success with Sattam Oru Iruttarai (1981), directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar; with whom he did movies mostly. In the 1980s and 1990s, he was an action icon with a consistent box-office appeal. He got the sobriquet "Captain" after the 100th film, Captain Prabhakaran