Vijayakanth (1952–2023), born Vijayaraj Alagarswami, was a prominent figure in Tamil cinema, acting in over 150 films including hits like Vaidehi Kathirunthal and Captain Prabhakaran. Known as "Captain" and "Puratchi Kalaignar," he earned multiple accolades including two Filmfare Awards South and the Kalaimamani title. Vijayakanth served as president of the Nadigar Sangam, creating a charitable trust for industry workers. Transitioning to politics, he founded the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam party, was MLA for Virudhachalam and Rishivandiyam, and led the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Posthumously, he received the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India.
Dec 28 2023Career
Shanmuga Pandian made his debut as a leading actor in Sagaptham (2015), co-starring Neha Hinge and Shubra Aiyappa, but the film was heavily panned by critics and failed at the box office. Pandian moved on to work on Thamizhan Endru Sol, again co-starring his father Vijayakanth in a pivotal role, but his father's ill health meant that the project was postponed. Thus Madura Veeran (2018), based on the issues and politics associated with jallikattu, became his second release and won critical acclaim. The song Enna nadakudhu nattula became viral due to its questioning of current happenings in the country.456
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Sagaptham | Saga | 7 | |
| 2018 | Madura Veeran | Durai | 8 | |
| 2025 | Padai Thalaivan | 9 | ||
| TBA | Mithran | Filming |
External links
References
"Captain Vijaykanth's son Shanmuga Pandian in 'Sagaptham". Sify.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20150213201532/http://www.sify.com/movies/captain-vijaykanth-s-son-shanmuga-pandian-in-sagaptham-imagegallery-kollywood-pckmt3ejffcei.html ↩
"Captain's son rises in a couple of days". Behindwoods. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2018. http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-13/vijayakanths-son-shanmuga-pandian-is-set-to-make-his-debut.html ↩
Menon, Vishal (1 February 2018). "I want to become like my dad, says Vijayakanth's son Shanmuga Pandian". The Hindu. Retrieved 3 February 2018. http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/shanmuga-pandian-on-madura-veeran/article22621964.ece ↩
Suganth, M (25 April 2017). "Shanmugapandian is now Madura Veeran". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2018. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/shanmugapandian-is-now-madura-veeran/articleshow/58342801.cms ↩
Kumar, Karthik (2 February 2018). "Madura Veeran movie review: A decent if not fitting tribute to Tamil pride". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 3 February 2018. https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/madura-veeran-movie-review-a-decent-if-not-fitting-tribute-to-tamil-pride/story-B5Lt35hfPa8kGxIKQUfzqJ.html ↩
Subramanian, Anupama (1 February 2018). "Shanmuga Pandian's Madura Veeran is all about Jallikattu". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 3 February 2018. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/010218/shanmuga-pandians-madura-veeran-is-all-about-jallikattu.html ↩
"Vijay to do a cameo in Shanmugapandian's film?". The Times of India. 2017-01-15. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-05-19. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Vijay-to-do-a-cameo-in-Shanmugapandians-film/articleshow/27843047.cms ↩
"Shanmugapandian is now Madura Veeran". The Times of India. 2017-04-25. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-05-19. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/shanmugapandian-is-now-madura-veeran/articleshow/58342801.cms ↩
"Shanmuga Pandian to feature in an elephant-based action film". The Times of India. 2023-07-14. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-05-19. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/shanmuga-pandian-to-feature-in-an-elephant-based-action-film/articleshow/101746493.cms ↩