Vijayakanth
Vijayakanth | |
|---|---|
| Member of Legislative Assembly | |
| Constituency | Virudhachalam, India |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 25, 1952 Madurai, India |
| Political party | Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam |
| Spouse | Premalatha Vijayakanth |
| Residence(s) | Saligramam, Chennai, India |
| Occupation | Film actor |
As of May 31, 2006 Source: Government of Tamil Nadu | |
Vijayakanth ({{telugu(born Vijayaraj Azhagarswami on August 25, 1952 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India) is a Tamil film actor and politician in Tamil Nadu, India. He is the founder of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam and a Member of Legislative Assembly representing Virudhachalam, Tamil Nadu, India.
Early life
Vijayakanth was born as Vijayaraj Azhagar Swami Naidu on August 25, 1952 in [andhra], India. His parents are K. N. Alagarswami Naidu and Aandal Azhagarswami who hailed from most prominent Balija Naidu family of Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu. He married Premalatha on January 31, 1990 and had two sons named Vijay Prabhakar and Shanmuga Pandian. Upon entering the film industry to pursue an acting career, he changed his name to "Vijayakanth", dropping the "raj" out of his name and suffixing "kanth," by director Khaja . He is nicknamed "Captain" which was taken from one of his popular films Captain Prabhakharan.
Career
Acting career
Vijayakanth has starred in various hits such as like Amman Koil Kizhakkaley, Vaidegi Kathirundal, Chinna Gounder, Vallarasu, Vanathai Pola,Sethupathi IPS, Ulavu Thurai,Periyanna, Kannupada Pokuthayya and Ramana, Neranja Manasu, Sabari. He was considered as the third major star in Tamil films after Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan in the 80s and early 90s till now. He is instrumental in giving break to actors like Mansoor Ali Khan , Livingston and Sarath Kumar . Only he can outshine himself when it comes to incredible stunts he performs in tamil movies.Although he is a man of much controversy, vijayakanth never fails to entertain his fan bases .Inspite of not much media coverage , he still holds some of the largest fan bases equivalent to all "so called " top stars of kollywood, kind person.
He has a very large fan base mainly in B and C centres.The films like "Chatriyan" and "Ramana" were also acclaimed by A centres. His Action Films dubbed into Telugu often do good business.Most of his tamil debuts are remade in Telugu by Tollywood Supremestar Chiranjeevi.Vijaykanth has a peculiar style of fighting especially with his leg kicks which is very popular among fans. vijaykanth is the only leading actor from Tamil Film Industry who has done only Tamil Films in his entire filmography of 150 Films. Moreover he has the habit of giving chance to new directors. After a string of average movies, Arasangam , Vijayakanth's 150th film was a super hit. Vijayakanth is also acting in a film called Engal Aasan now.
After a successful film career Vijayakanth is set to make his mark in the Tamil politics and had a very good start .
He took great effort to settle the debts owing to Nadigar Sangam by organising shows in Malaysia and Singapore.
Politics
He formed the center-left winged Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), a regional political party in Tamil Nadu. He formally announced party formation on September 14, 2005 at Madurai. His party contested in all 234 seats in 2006 assembly elections and won one seat contested by him.
Awards
Vijayakanth as been honoured with several allocades and awards from associations, such as Filmfare, Cinema Express, Cinema Studio, Malai Malar, Peasum Padam, Dinakaran, Makkal Kural, and the Mathi Arts Academy. In 2001, he was given the title and award of Kalaimamani from the Government of Tamil Nadu.
- 1981 - "Thoorathu Idimuzhakkam" selected for World Film Festival in Delhi.
- 1986 - Best Actor Filmfare Award for "Amman Koyil Kizhakalae".
- 1989 - Best Actor Cinema Express Award "Poonthotta Kavalkaran".
- 1989 - Best Actor Award "Chindura Poove" & Film Fans Award
- 2001 - Kalaimamani Award by Tamil Nadu Government.
- 2001 - Best Tamil Citizen Award by Mayor of Houston U.S.A. and Best Indian Citizen Award by Indian Government.
- 2001 - Best Actor Award "Vanathai Pole" Cinema Express Award