CHENNAI: When Vijayakant started off in Kollywood in the early 1980s, several actresses refused to pair with him. They complained that he was too dark, lacked suavity and style. Not one to be disheartened by ridicule, the young man would prove that perseverance without bitterness could win hearts – and heroines.
In the early years, Nalini, ‘Kozhi Koovuthu’ Viji, Saritha and Madhuri were among the few who were willing to play Vijayakant’s love interest. Sripriya, who was quite popular at the time, too, had no problem being cast opposite him in ‘Parvaiyin Marupakkam’ (1982). Later, when her chips were down, Vijayakant reciprocated by choosing Sripriya for ‘Senthoora Poove’ (1988).
‘Sattam Oru Iruttarai’ (1981), ‘Vaidhegi Kaathirunthaal’ (1984) and ‘Oomai Vizhigal’ (1986) – all box office successes – made heads turn towards him. Top rung actresses changed their mindset. Slowly and surely as ‘Captain’ (a title he retained after ‘Captain Prabhakaran’) proved his mettle, actor Radha did memorable roles with him. The 1986 hit ‘Amman Kovil Kizhakale,’ paved the way for them to unite again, in ‘Uzhavan Magan,’ (1987) ‘Ninaive Oru Sangeetham,’ (1987), ‘Ullathil Nalla Ullam’ (1988) and ‘Meenakshi Thiruvilayadal’ (1989). Seeing her sister doing well, Ambika too followed suit.
Actor Raadhika gave Vijayakant a makeover, bringing her stylist from Mumbai to groom him. From ‘Sirai Paravai’ (1987) and ‘Nallavan’ (1988), Vijayakant was seen as stylish. Says Raadhika: “He would not deliver English dialogues when I was around as I might burst into laughter. We had a lovely onscreen chemistry and became good friends.”
What Raadhika did to Vijayakant’s sartorial sense, Prabhu Deva did to his dance. Choreographed by Prabhu Deva, Vijayakant did a decent job dancing with Bhanupriya for the song ‘Punnakaiyil Minsaram’ in ‘Bharathan’ (1992).
Heroines respected his protective, straightforward, and no-nonsense approach. During star night shows abroad, he would make sure his colleagues were safe. Actor Rekha, who did a few movies with him, recollected how when she was caught in a jam during Vijayakant’s wedding the groom stopped his car to give her a safe ride.
Vijayakant’s thoughtfulness was evident in his small gestures. Actor Khushboo says when they had eggs for lunch at shooting sites, Vijayakant would save the yolk for her since he knew she liked it. “Sometimes he was child-like. He would raid my makeup kit and use my cosmetics.”
His close friends Radha Ravi, Vagai Chanrasekhar and Thiyagu called him Vijima. Vijayakant listened to his well-wishers. Once, when he agreed to play a villain role for AVM Productions, his ‘best friend’ A S Ibrahim Rowther advised him against it. Vijayakant returned the advance money and waited for a hero role that came soon.
In the early years, Nalini, ‘Kozhi Koovuthu’ Viji, Saritha and Madhuri were among the few who were willing to play Vijayakant’s love interest. Sripriya, who was quite popular at the time, too, had no problem being cast opposite him in ‘Parvaiyin Marupakkam’ (1982). Later, when her chips were down, Vijayakant reciprocated by choosing Sripriya for ‘Senthoora Poove’ (1988).
‘Sattam Oru Iruttarai’ (1981), ‘Vaidhegi Kaathirunthaal’ (1984) and ‘Oomai Vizhigal’ (1986) – all box office successes – made heads turn towards him. Top rung actresses changed their mindset. Slowly and surely as ‘Captain’ (a title he retained after ‘Captain Prabhakaran’) proved his mettle, actor Radha did memorable roles with him. The 1986 hit ‘Amman Kovil Kizhakale,’ paved the way for them to unite again, in ‘Uzhavan Magan,’ (1987) ‘Ninaive Oru Sangeetham,’ (1987), ‘Ullathil Nalla Ullam’ (1988) and ‘Meenakshi Thiruvilayadal’ (1989). Seeing her sister doing well, Ambika too followed suit.
Actor Raadhika gave Vijayakant a makeover, bringing her stylist from Mumbai to groom him. From ‘Sirai Paravai’ (1987) and ‘Nallavan’ (1988), Vijayakant was seen as stylish. Says Raadhika: “He would not deliver English dialogues when I was around as I might burst into laughter. We had a lovely onscreen chemistry and became good friends.”
What Raadhika did to Vijayakant’s sartorial sense, Prabhu Deva did to his dance. Choreographed by Prabhu Deva, Vijayakant did a decent job dancing with Bhanupriya for the song ‘Punnakaiyil Minsaram’ in ‘Bharathan’ (1992).
Heroines respected his protective, straightforward, and no-nonsense approach. During star night shows abroad, he would make sure his colleagues were safe. Actor Rekha, who did a few movies with him, recollected how when she was caught in a jam during Vijayakant’s wedding the groom stopped his car to give her a safe ride.
Vijayakant’s thoughtfulness was evident in his small gestures. Actor Khushboo says when they had eggs for lunch at shooting sites, Vijayakant would save the yolk for her since he knew she liked it. “Sometimes he was child-like. He would raid my makeup kit and use my cosmetics.”
His close friends Radha Ravi, Vagai Chanrasekhar and Thiyagu called him Vijima. Vijayakant listened to his well-wishers. Once, when he agreed to play a villain role for AVM Productions, his ‘best friend’ A S Ibrahim Rowther advised him against it. Vijayakant returned the advance money and waited for a hero role that came soon.