Actor Rajinikanth who arrived in Chennai earlier today paid his last respects to the mortal remains of actor, politician Vijaykanth, who passed away on December 28, 2023 [Thursday] at 6: 10 AM. 73 year old Rajini and 71 year old Vijayakanth are peers, who have maintained cordial relationship over the years. Vijayakanth had been battling deteriorating health ever since he underwent kidney transplant in 2016/2017, and Rajini was one of the few known faces to be accepted as a visitor during Vijayakanth's recovery. 

After meeting the surviving family of Vijayakanth's at Island Ground, Chennai where the mortal remains are being kept till 1 pm for the public to pay their last respects, Rajinikanth met with the press and got emotional recalling memories of his lost acquaintance. 

"(I) Was shooting at Kanyakumari. Was supposed to come yesterday. It (Vijayakanth's demise) has been very heavy on the heart. There is so much to talk about Vijayakanth but most important is his friendship. Mr. Vijayakanth is the epitome of friendship. Once you get acquainted with him, you can never forget him for life. Everyone becomes a slave to his affection. Which is why he has so many friends. They were, are ready to give their lives for him. 

 

Vijayakanth gets angry on friends, politicians and even you media folks. But no one gets angry on him. Because behind Vijayakanth's anger, there is usually a justifiable reason. There will be no selfishness but affection. He is also the epitome of courage and bravery. 

 

Those who are acquainted with Vijayakanth will usually have a lot of memories to share. I too have a lot but two are most important. I was once being treated in a state of unconsciousness at [the intensive care unit of] Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre (SRMC), and it was getting difficult to control the nuisance from the crowd - fans, media and the general public that had gathered there. [This was in 2011 when Rajinikanth was 61 and anxious fans crowd had continued to throng the hospital, despite assurances that Rajini was responding well to the treatment]. That time, it was Vijayakanth who cleared everyone within 5 minutes, don't know what he said but he made them go away. He told my family members 'Put a room for me beside his (Rajinikanth's) room. I will see to it no one disturbs brother (Rajini) and take care of him." Rajini breaks down at this point and says, "Me and my family will never forget it." 

 

Rajinikanth continued, "Similarly once when he had done to Singapore and Malaysia for a Nadigar Sangam event (in 2002). After our show in Malaysia, everyone (of the artists) had boarded the bus. When I had come (to exit the venue), it took a little while. Fans, media and everyone else had surrounded and I couldn't move at all. For a whole 5 minutes, I struggled. Bouncers were there even they couldn't do anything. (Vijaykanth) was seeing this from the bus, got down and using just a towel, he was able to clear and reduce the crowd into half. He moved me like a flower (Tamil metaphor for handling with care), made me sit on the bus and asked 'Brother hope you were not harmed. Hope you are comfortable (without distress)'. To see such a man during his last days was very difficult. 

 

Captain is a very suitable name for Vijayakanth. In 71 balls (referring to Vijayakanth's age), there were several boundaries, several sixers (cricketing analogies). Aggressively he scored runs, made people happy, stood as a wicket and left the field called this world. Vazhndhavar Kodi, Magizhndhavar Kodi (A Tamil phrase that means because of him, a crore people lived, because of him, a crore people were happy). Who is in people's hearts? Folks like Vijayakanth. Long live Vijayakanth's name."