Veteran actor Vijayakanth, one of the few heroes who started their career in the late 70s and who still gives blockbusters, celebrates his birthday today. He is one of the heroes who have achieved a demi-god status in Tamil Nadu.

The actor has won several awards for his brilliant performances, the most prominent being the Filmfare best actor award for his performance in Amman Koil Kizhakalae and two Cinema Express Awards for Poonthotta Kavalkaran and Vanathai Pola. Apart from this, the actor has also received the Best Tamil Citizen Award from the Mayor of Houston, Texas.

Vijaykanth enthralled cinemagoers with his acting and stunt skills. He achieved the "impossible fame" of creating a niche for himself in Kollywood, which was already occupied by two of its most celebrated heroes – Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. The actor has become a successful politician with the 2011 elections. His party DMDK has bagged 29 of the 41 seats it had contested from. With this, DMDK has emerged the second largest party in TN and Vijayakanth will be the Leader of Opposition in the new Assembly.

DMDK president and the Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Vijayakanth celebrated his birthday today. Leaders of various parties greeted the DMDK leader on the occasion. Also, apart from the special prayers held at temples , several welfare schemes are being carried out for the needy.

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The day is being celebrated as 'poverty eradication day' by his partymen. Vijayakanth performed special prayers at Thiruverkadu Karumariamman temple at 6.30 am along with his family members. He was greeted by his wife Premalatha and his sons Prabhakaran and Shanmugapandian. He also received birthday wishes from political leaders across the State. Union Minister of Shipping G K Vasan, CPI leader D Pandian, CPI(M) leader Ramakrishnan, TNCC president K V Thangabalu, Puthiya Thamizhagam leader K Krishnaswamy, former union Ministers E V K S Elangovan, S Thirunavukarasar also sent in their wishes. TN Youth Congress head Yuvaraj, MLA Thaniyarasu, actors Sathyaraj, Jeeva, directors Perarasu, Rajkumar also wished him. His party members wished him in person. Senior leader Panruti Ramachandran, Virugambakkam MLA Parthasarathy, South  Chennai district treasurer K S Malarmannan, Deputy Secretary Prabhakaran, Virugai Ravichandran and others greeted him. Several personalities from the film fraternity also sent in their wishes.

With kollyinsider Let us wish “captain” a very a happy birthday and many more returns of this special day.