Rajinikanth breaks down after paying last respects to Vijayakanth

DMDK chief and veteran actor Vijayakanth died on December 28 in Chennai. Rajinikanth, who was in Tuticorin, shooting for his upcoming film, ‘Vettaiyan’, rushed to Chennai to pay his last respects to Captain. In a video going viral from Vijayakanth’s funeral, Rajinikanth is seen breaking down in his car on his way out.

RAJINIKANTH BREAKS DOWN

Rajinikanth rushed to Chennai from Tuticorin upon learning of fellow actor Vijayakanth’s death. In a video going viral, he was seen breaking down while meeting a fellow mourner while exiting the funeral.

Speaking to the media from the Tuticorin airport, Rajinikanth said, “My heart aches. Vijayakanth was a man with great willpower. Lastly, I saw him at the DMDK’s genral body meeting and thought he would bounce back after battling his health issues. His death is a huge loss to the people of Tamil Nadu.”

He further added, “If he was healthy, he would have been a formidable force in politics. He would have done so many good deeds for the people. People of Tamil Nadu have now lost him. May his soul rest in peace.”

He returned to Chennai and headed to Island Grounds where he met Vijayakanth’s family members. Addressing the media in Chennai, he said, “I was supposed to come yesterday from Tuticorin. My heart aches. I could go all day talking about him. He was the epitome of friendship. Once you become friends with him, you’ll never be able to forget him. People become slaves because of his kindness. Many are willing to lay their lives for him. He gets angry with his friends, politicians and media as well. But, nobody would get angry at him. Because there will always be a right reason behind the anger. There would be no selfishness. He is an example of his courage and valour.”

Recalling a fond memory, he said, “When I was sick and admitted to Ramachandra Hospital, I was unconscious. We couldn’t control the fans and media. Vijayakanth came there and controlled the entire crowd in just five minutes. We don’t know what he did. He asked the authorities to hold a room next to mine, so he could see who was visiting me. I couldn’t forget his help.”

He further continued, “When we went to Singapore for the star night, I took some time to get into the bus. I couldn’t get past the mob even with bouncers’ help. He saw me struggling and got down from the bus and cleared the crowd in two minutes and got me inside the bus safely and asked me if I was okay. I haven’t seen him in his last few days.”

“Captain is a name coined for him and he lived up to it. He entertained the audience with his sixes and fours and left the field. 1000s have lived and 1000s have died, but who’s in the hearts of the people? Only people like Vijayakanth,” he concluded.

Vijayakanth, popularly known as Captain, died at a private hospital in Chennai on December 28. He is survived by his wife, Premalatha, and two sons, Vijaya Prabhakaran and Shanmuga Pandian. He was 71.