This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (October 2009) (Find sources: Vijayakanth – news, books, scholar)

Vijayakanth
Member of Legislative Assembly
Constituency	Vridhachalam (2006-present)
Born	August 25, 1952 (1952-08-25) (age 57) Madurai, India
Political party	Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam
Residence	Saligramam, Chennai, India
Occupation	Film actor
Religion	Hindu
As of May 31, 2006 Source: Government of Tamil Nadu

Vijayaraj Azhagarswami Naidu (born 25 August 1952), professionally known by his stage name Vijayakanth, 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.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 2.1 Acting career 2.2 Politics 3 Awards and honours 4 Filmography 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Early life

Vijayakanth was born as Vijayaraj Azhagar Swami on 25 August 1952 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. His parents are K. N. Alagarswami and Aandal Azhagarswami. He married Premalatha on 31 January 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 'karuppu MGR' and "Captain" which was taken from one of his popular films Captain Prabhakharan'.

[edit] Career

[edit] Acting career

Vijayakanth has starred in various hits such as like Amman Koil Kizhakkaley, Vaidegi Kathirundal, Chinna Gounder, Vallarasu, Vanathai Pola, Sethupathi IPS, Captain Prabakaran, Ulavu Thurai, Periyanna, Kannupada Pokuthayya, Ramana, Neranja Manasu, Sabari. He is instrumental in giving break to actors like Mansoor Ali Khan, Livingston and Sarath Kumar.

[edit] 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 14 September 2005 at Madurai. His party contested in all 234 seats in 2006 assembly elections and won one seat contested by him.

[edit] Awards and honours

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.

• 1986 - Filmfare Best Actor Award for Amman Koyil Kizhakalae
• 1989 - Cinema Express Best Actor Award for Poonthotta Kavalkaran
• 2001 - Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu
• 2001 - Cinema Express Best Actor Award for Vanathai Pole
• 2001 - Indian Government's Best Citizen award

[edit] Filmography

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Vijayakanth at the Internet Movie Database
• Article on Vijaykanth's political foray
• Article on Vijaykanth's political foray and election results in The New Indian Express