Vijayakanth Height, Weight, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Death Cause, Biography & More
Vijayakanth, who passed away on December 28, 2023, at the age of 71, was a prominent actor and politician in Tamil Nadu. He was the founder and president of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) party and the leader of the opposition in the state assembly from 2011 to 2016.
He was also one of the few Tamil actors who acted only in Tamil films throughout his career, earning the title of “Puratchi Kalaignar” (revolutionary artist).
Family Background & Education
Vijayakanth was born as Narayanan Vijayaraj Alagarswami on August 25, 1952, in Madurai. His parents were K. N. Alagarswami and Aandal Azhagarswami. His mother died a year after his birth, and his father remarried another woman named Rukmani, with whom he had seven children. Vijayakanth had three elder siblings from his father’s first marriage.
He completed his sixth standard at M.C. High School, seventh and eighth at Devakottai School, ninth from a different school, and tenth and eleventh at St. Mary’s School. He could not continue his education beyond eleventh standard, as he had to manage his father’s rice-milling business.
Vijayakanth Wiki/Bio
| Name | Vijayakanth |
| Real Name | Narayanan Vijayaraj Alagarswami |
| Date of Birth | 25 August 1952 |
| Date of Death | 28 December 2023 |
| Place of Birth | Madurai, Tamil Nadu |
| Place of Death | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Profession | Actor and Politician |
| Party | Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) |
| Spouse | Premalatha Vijayakanth |
| Children | Shanmuga Pandian and Vijay Prabhakar Alagarswami |
| Net Worth | $20 million (approx.) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Ethnicity | Kamma Naidu |
| Religion | Hindu |
| vijayakanth | |
| Wikipedia | Vijayakanth |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Physical Stats
He was 5 feet and 7 inches tall and weighed around 70 kg. He had brown hair and dark brown eyes. He was known for his muscular physique and his action-oriented roles in his films. He also performed many of his stunts, which showcased his agility and strength. He was also fond of sports, such as cricket and football, and often watched them in his leisure time.
| Height | 5’ 7″ |
| Weight | 70 kg |
| Hair Colour | Brown |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
Film Career
He entered the film industry in 1979, with the film Inikkum Ilamai, directed by M. A. Kaja, where he played the role of an antagonist. He changed his name to Vijayakanth, dropping the “Raj” and adding the “Kanth” suffix. He did several other films in the same year, but his breakthrough came in 1981, with the film Sattam Oru Iruttarai, directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar, who became his frequent collaborator. The film was a commercial success and was remade in several other languages.
Vijayakanth established himself as a leading hero in Tamil cinema, with films such as 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 won two Filmfare Awards South and three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for his performances. He was also awarded the Kalaimamani, the highest civilian award in Tamil Nadu, in 2001.
Vijayakanth was known for portraying patriotic, village do-gooder, and dual roles in his films. He also acted in more than 20 films as a police officer, earning the nickname of “Captain” among his fans and the film fraternity. He was best known for his low-budget films that showcased gravity-defying stunts, in which he would single-handedly defeat his enemies. Most of his films revolved around themes of corruption, honesty, and keeping up promises. He worked three shifts per day and was dedicated to his craft.
He also took delayed remunerations and sometimes did not take them at all to benefit the struggling producers. He did not try to publicize these acts and let the world see them for themselves. He acted in over 150 films in his career, spanning over three decades. His 100th film was Captain Prabhakaran (1991), which was a blockbuster hit. His last film was Virudhagiri (2010), which he also directed.
Spouse & Kids
Vijayakanth married Premalatha on January 31, 1990. She is also a politician and the treasurer of the DMDK party. The couple has two sons, Shanmuga Pandian and Vijay Prabhakar Alagarswami. Shanmuga Pandian is an actor who starred in films such as Sagaptham (2015) and Madura Veeran (2018). Vijay Prabhakar is an internet personality who runs a YouTube channel called Vijayakant X.
He was rumored to be dating Radhika Sarathkumar, a popular actress before he got married, but he never confirmed his relationship with her. They have starred together in several films, such as Uzhavan Magan (1987), Neethiyin Marupakkam (1985), and Nanne Raja Nanne Mandhiri (1985).
Political Career
Vijayakanth announced the formation of his political party, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), in September 2005. He contested in the 2006 Legislative Assembly elections and won from the Virudhachalam constituency. He became the first actor in Tamil Nadu to win an assembly seat in his debut election. He formed alliances with various parties, such as the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), for subsequent elections.
He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) twice, representing the Virudhachalam and Rishivandiyam constituencies respectively, from 2006 to 2016. He was also the leader of the opposition in the state assembly from 2011 to 2016 after his party emerged as the second-largest party in the 2011 elections. He was the first leader of the opposition in Tamil Nadu who was not from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) or the AIADMK.
Health Issues & Death Cause
He faced several health issues in his later years. He was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and underwent treatment in the US in 2016. He also tested positive for COVID-19 in September 2020 and was hospitalized for a month. He recovered from the infection but suffered from pneumonia and other complications.
He was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai on November 18, 2023, for routine check-ups, but his condition deteriorated mildly and he required a small amount of pulmonary support. He died on December 28, 2023, due to respiratory failure. His death was mourned by his fans, colleagues, and political leaders. He was cremated with full state honors on December 29, 2023, at his farmhouse in Saligramam.
He was a versatile actor and a charismatic politician who left a mark in Tamil Nadu’s history. He was a man of the masses who fought for the rights and welfare of the people. He was a rebel who challenged the status quo and dared to dream big. He was a legend who inspired millions with his courage and conviction. He was Vijayakanth, the Captain.
Net Worth and Income Sources
According to various sources, Vijayakanth’s net worth was estimated to be around $20 million, and his salary was around $1 million per year. He earned most of his income from his acting career, as he acted in over 150 films in his career, spanning over three decades. He also earned from his political career, as he served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) twice, representing the Virudhachalam and Rishivandiyam constituencies respectively, from 2006 to 2016. He also had other sources of income, such as his engineering college near Chengalpet, his marriage hall in Koyembedu, Chennai, and his farmhouse in Saligramam.
According to the data available on Myneta.info, his 2016 affidavit—which he submitted when running for the Ulundurpettai Assembly seat—estimates his total assets to be at Rs 53 crore. His assets included movable assets worth Rs 12.5 crore, immovable assets worth Rs 40.5 crore, and liabilities worth Rs 5.5 crore. His movable assets included cash, bank deposits, bonds, shares, jewelry, vehicles, and firearms. His immovable assets included agricultural land, non-agricultural land, commercial buildings, and residential buildings.
Nationality, Ethnicity, and Religion
He was an Indian by nationality and belonged to a Kamma Naidu family in Madurai The Kamma Naidu community is a sub-caste of the Naidu community, which is a Telugu-speaking social group that originated from the Andhra Pradesh region. The Kamma Naidu community is mainly found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, and is known for its involvement in agriculture, business, and politics.
Vijayakanth was a Hindu by religion and followed the traditions and rituals of his faith. He was also a devotee of Lord Murugan and often visited his temples. He also respected other religions and participated in their festivals and events. He was also a follower of M. G. Ramachandran, the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu and a popular actor, who influenced his political and film career.
