Veteran Actor and Padma Shri Awardee Vivek passes away in Chennai.

Byline By- Vinayak Heliwal

Veteran Actor-Comedian and Padma Shri Awardee Vivek, who has performed in more than 200 films died following a cardiac arrest at 4.45 am in a Chennai hospital on Saturday.

Vivek was admitted to SIMS Hospital in Vadapalani where he underwent an angioplasty and stenting procedure on Friday for a complete block in a critical blood vessel of the Heart.

He was put on ECMO support in the intensive care unit. But unfortunately, he passed away at 4:45 in the morning today.

Born on Vivekanandan on November 19, 1961, Vivek was one of the prominent performers in the Tamil Film Industry. Vivek made his debut in Tamil Cinema with K Balachander’s Manathil Urudhi Vendum in 1987.

Over the years Vivek became one of the most sought-after comedians in Kollywood. His brand of comedy involved hilariously delivering social messages. He believed that this will help educate people.

Vivek was also addressed as Chinna Kalaivanar .From the 90s to the mid-2000s Vivek acted with top heroes including Rajnikanth, Vijay, Suriya, Vikram, and Dhanush among others. His dream was fulfilled when he was signed for a role in Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2, directed by Shankar.

Vivek was honored with the prestigious Padma Shri in 2009 for his contribution to the act. The Government of Tamil Nadu honoured him with the Kalaivar Award. He was the recipient of the Tamil Nadu State Film Award five times.

Some of his best films include Manathil Uruthi Vendum, Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal, Keladi Kanmani, Kadhal Mannan, Vaali, Minnale, Dumm Dumm Dumm, Run, among others.

Film Industry from all over India expressed their grief and condolences on his shocking demise.

Vivek was last seen in Harish Kalyan’s Dharala Prabhu which was the Tamil remake of Ayushmann Khurrana’s Vicky Donor.