KUALA LUMPUR: Well known Tamil comedian and film actor Vivek died in a Chennai hospital early today.
The 59-year-old was admitted to hospital on Friday following a heart attack where he underwent an angioplasty and stenting procedure for a complete block in a critical blood vessel of the heart and was placed in the intensive care unit.
The actor was rushed to hospital in an unconscious state by his wife and daughter after he complained of discomfort.
"He passed away at 4.35am," reported The Times of India citing a medical bulletin.
Hospital vice-president Dr Raju Sivasamy said the sudden attack was due to an acute coronary syndrome with a cardiogenic shock.
This was the first time that the actor had come to the hospital with an attack like this, Dr Sivasamy said. Vivek had a "mild elevated blood pressure."
Born in Kovilpatti in Tuticorin district in south Tamil Nadu, Vivek started his film career as an assistant director cum scriptwriter with veteran director K Balachandar in the 1980s. Impressed by his timing sense and comedy, Balachandar offered Vivek a small role in the Tamil film "Manathil Urudhi Vendum" in 1987.
The director featured Vivek in his next film – "Puthu Puthu Arthangal," as well. Vivek made his mark as a comedy actor in this film, where he repeatedly uttered the dialogue - "Innikki Setthaa, Nalaiku Paal" (pointing to a ritual that happens a day after the cremation).
His career as a comedian flourished since the late 90s and stayed steady for almost the next two decades.
He was known for his sharp tongue, timing sense and ability to mimic others.
Leading heroes, including Rajinikanth, offered Vivek enough screen space to shine. His roles in films like "Run," "Perazhagan," "Dhool," "Anniyan" and "Sivaji" became very popular among the hundreds of roles he played over three decades. He was even cast as a hero in the Tamil film "Solli Adippen," but the film never saw the light of the day.
With his penchant for social reforms, the late comedian highlighted the perils of the society including girl child infanticide (a practice that prevailed in south Tamil Nadu), caste clashes and religious superstitions.
"Even if a thousand Periyars are born here, you people cannot be changed," - was one of his famous dialogues, while drawing the social reformist E V Ramasamy (popularly known as Periyar) for support.
Vivek was popularly called "Chinna Kalaivanar" for his penchant for social reforms in his dialogues -- something that yesteryear star and comedian N S Krishnan, who was known as Kalaivanar, did in the late 40s and 50s.
Vivek was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009 by the central government.
The late comedian leaves behind his wife and two daughters. His son died a few years from dengue and brain fever.