Rajinikanth Returns To Chennai, Cancels 'Vettaiyan' Shoot To Pay Tribute To Vijayakanth

The death of former Tamil actor and DMDK founder Vijayakanth has left the entire nation in shock and grief. Reportedly, Rajinikanth has also postponed the shooting of his upcoming movie ‘Vettaiyan’. While the superstar was shooting for the film in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, he is now returning to Chennai to pay his final tributes to Vijayakanth.

Sharing the same on his X handle, industry tracker Sreedhar Pillai wrote, “#SuperstarRajinikanth who is shooting for his #Vettaiyan in #Nagercoil is coming back to Chennai to pay his last respects to his dear friend #CaptainVijayakanth (sic).”

Vijayakanth and Rajinikanth never acted together in Tamil films but the two shared a great bond. However, the two actors played cameo roles in K Balachander’s Manathil Urudhi Vendum in a song titled Vangaala Kadale.

Vijayakanth passed away in Chennai on Thursday following an illness. The 71-year-old actor turned politician was on ventilatory support after testing positive for Covid-19. MIOT International, the hospital where Vijayakanth was admitted, said he was battling pneumonia and passed away on Thursday morning.

“Captain Vijayakanth was on ventilatory support following his admission for pneumonia. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, he passed away in the morning on December 28, 2023,” the hospital said in a press release.

Vijayakanth had been facing health issues since November, due to which his wife, Premalatha Vijayakanth took charge as the general secretary of DMDK on December 15.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has also announced full state honours for Vijayakanth’s funeral. In his condolence message, Stalin expressed shock and grief over Vijayakanth’s death and hailed him as an achiever; both as an actor and as a leader in public life.

Rest in peace, Vijayakanth!