Vijayakanth shaping Thalapathy Vijay's career in Tamil cinema

Actor and politician Vijayakanth, who died at 71, helped Thalapathy Vijay in his career, shared by director SA Chandrasekhar at an event.

Today, we mourn the loss of legendary actor and politician Vijayakanth, who passed away at the age of 71 on December 28. Survived by his wife, Premalatha, and two sons, Vijayakanth was a celebrated figure in Tamil cinema and a generous mentor to many aspiring talents. However, what many may not know is the significant impact he had on shaping the career of one of Kollywood's leading actors, Thalapathy Vijay.

During a tribute event in 2018 to commemorate Vijayakanth's 40 years in cinema, director SA Chandrasekhar shared a heartwarming anecdote about how Vijayakanth played a pivotal role in helping Vijay kickstart his career. Chandrasekhar revealed that after Vijay's debut film 'Naalaya Theerpu' failed to make an impact, he reached out to Vijayakanth with the idea of casting him in a film alongside his son. Vijayakanth, known as Captain, immediately agreed to the project, showing immense generosity by not discussing his remuneration until later. The resulting film, 'Sendhoorapandi', turned out to be a massive hit and set the stage for Vijay's rise to stardom in the industry.

Today, Vijay stands as one of the leading actors in Kollywood, a testament to the impact of Vijayakanth's support and guidance in his early career. As we bid farewell to Vijayakanth, who will be cremated with full state honors, we remember his legacy as a beloved figure in the film industry and politics, and the countless lives he touched with his generosity and mentorship. His contribution to the industry will forever be cherished, and his memory will live on in the hearts of his colleagues, friends, and fans.