Late Tamil comedian cum actor Vivekanandan, professionally known as Vivek, would have celebrated his 62nd birthday on Sunday had he been among us. In the world of cinema, comedians have traditionally fallen into the categories of either slim individuals or those with a rotund physique and distinctive facial features, eliciting widespread adoration for their comedic talents.
Vivek, a luminary in the Tamil film industry, defied these conventional moulds. His popularity burgeoned not from physical comedy but from his razor-sharp wit, staunch social commentary, and audacious humour. In an industry where many comedians aspire to transition into leading roles, from Nagesh and Goundamani to Yogi Babu and Satish, Vivek carved a unique niche for himself.
Vivek embarked on his cinematic journey in 1987 with the film Manadhil Dhamwala, transitioning to lead roles within four years. In 1991, he paired opposite Kanaka in Rama Narayanan’s film Senthuradevi. His rise as a prominent comedian coincided with the emergence of heroes like Prashant, Vijay, Ajith, and Madhavan in the late nineties.
Collaborating with these budding stars, Vivek infused style into his on-screen presence, ensuring audiences remained captivated. Off-screen, Vivek’s personal life included a marriage to Arulselvi, with whom he had three children: Amritha Nandini, Tejaswini, and Prasanna Kumar. Tragically, Prasanna Kumar succumbed to complications arising from dengue fever and brain fever at the age of 13 in 2015.
On 16 April 2021, Vivek was admitted to a hospital in Chennai after experiencing breathlessness and chest pain. Unconscious at home, doctors diagnosed him with a thrombosis causing congestive heart failure due to 100% blockage in the left anterior descending artery. Despite undergoing angioplasty, Vivek passed away on April 17, 2021, at the age of 59. His untimely demise prompted a state funeral near his residence in Virugambakkam, Chennai, attended by throngs of mourning fans.
Speculation initially arose regarding a potential link between Vivek’s death and the Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin vaccine he received a day prior, as he actively campaigned for COVID-19 vaccination. However, the National Human Rights Commission ruled out any connection between the vaccine and his heart attack, attributing his death to hypertension. Vivek’s funeral was a poignant affair, marking the end of an era for Tamil cinema.
Vivek is known for doing comedy roles in numerous films including the likes of Singam and Bigil.
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