Vijayakanth, a multifaceted person loved by masses

Vijayaraj Azhagarswami, popularly known as Vijayakanth, was born in Tamil Nadu in 1952. He made a name for himself in Tamil cinema during the late 1970s. However, his acting career soared in the 1980s and 1990s, and won the hearts of the audience through his action-packed performances.

His milestone 100th film, "Captain Prabhakaran," a celebrated classic in Tamil cinema, earned him the sobriquet "Captain" among the people. Some of his notable films include 'Sathriyan,' 'Ramanaa,' 'Pulan Visaranai,' and 'Vanathai Pola'.

Vijayakanth's characteristics didn't fit the typical hero mould, yet they deeply connected with the audience's yearning for a saviour. Whether it be portraying an honest cop battling corrupt politicians or the young defender of a village against corporate giants or the devoted family man, or even an ordinary individual fighting corruption, his roles were mostly captivating and inspiring. The ace actor played characters that easily captured the imaginations of the audience. In his movies, Vijaykanth mostly portrayed the role of a hero who could overcome any adverse situation. The actor enthralled the audience through his larger-than-life portrayals on the big screen.

Vijayakanth was willing to compromise on his pay, even as he ascended to superstar status. He understood the producers' circumstances and adjusted accordingly. In many instances, he accepted his remunerations only after his films turned into superhits. For a film that failed at the box office, he was willing to reduce his fee as well. He hardly took any payment for cameo appearances in several films.

Apart from acting, Vijaykanth ventured into film production, and with his directorial debut, "Virudhagiri," he added another dimension to his career. In the early 2000s, Vijaykanth made a transition from the silver screen to politics. In 2005, he founded the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), a political party in Tamil Nadu. Known for his charisma and strong public speaking skills, he gained a significant following among the masses. 

Vijayakanth allied with the AIADMK in the 2011 Assembly elections, the Jayalalithaa-led bloc won the polls, and the DMDK founder went on to become the Leader of the Opposition. His verbal duel with Jayalalithaa in the Assembly took the state by storm, and he appeared all set to take on the powers that be and break down the hegemony of the Dravidian parties, that have held sway for over half a century in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.