Vivekanandan (English: Vivekanandan, born 19 November 1961; died 17 April 2021) was an Indian film actor, comedian, television personality, playback singer and social activist working in the Tamil film industry. He is also known by the name ‘Vivek’. In the year 2009, the Government of India honored him with ‘Padmashree’ for his contribution to the arts.
Born in Kovilpatti, South Tamil Nadu, actor Vivek started his career in 1980 as an assistant director and scriptwriter with senior director K Balachander. Pleased with Vivek’s talent, Balachander offered him a small role in a Tamil film ‘Manadil Oorudi Vendum’ in 1987.
The director also cast him in his next film ‘Pudu Pudu Artangal’. In this film, Vivek attracted everyone with his brilliant comedy. His dialogue ‘Inkki Setta Nalaki Pal’ became very famous in this film. After this he never looked back. The actor also established his identity as a solo comedian. He started gaining popularity from the 90s, which continued for the next two decades.
Apart from his perfect comic timing, actor Vivek was also known for his sharp mind. He could mimic anyone very easily. He also worked with superstar Rajinikanth several times. He worked in films like Run, Peradagan, Dool, Anniyan, and Sivaji, which gained him immense popularity and he remained in the hearts of the audience for three consecutive decades.
After this he got the opportunity to play the lead role in a Tamil film ‘Sulli Adipen’. Vivek was also seen making people aware on social issues like ‘Beti Bachao’ and communal harmony. People also called Vivek ‘Chinna Kalaivanar’. He was awarded Padma Shri in 2009 by the Central Government. Padmashree awardee Vivek Rajinikanth had worked in many films with stars like Thalapathy Vijay, Vikram and Dhanush. He also appeared as a lead actor in some films and was also active in spreading awareness about the environment. He is the son of late former President A.P.J. Was greatly influenced by the principles of Abdul Kalam. Abdul Kalam once suggested him to be a part of ‘Green India’. After this Vivek set a target of planting one billion trees and for this took the help of students and other people.
Actor Vivek died on April 17, 2021 in Chennai. A day earlier, he was admitted to SIMS Hospital in Vadapalani, Chennai after he became unconscious after complaining of chest pain. Here he was kept on ECMO support system by the intensive care unit. Actor Vivek got the Corona vaccine on April 15, 2021. He had reached the government hospital with his friend. During this, while talking to the media, he had told why he was taking the vaccine in the government hospital. He had told that ‘people from every section of the society come to the government hospital. It is accessible to more people. Covid vaccine is correct. You will not fall ill after getting this applied. After getting this installed, the risk will reduce to a great extent. On April 15, Vivek got vaccinated and on April 16, he had to be admitted to a private hospital due to chest pain. After this, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Vijay Bhaskar had tweeted expressing grief over his deteriorating condition.
