Actor Vivek passed away in Chennai. (Photo: Sreedhar Pillai/Twitter)The sudden demise of Tamil actor Vivek has left his fans, friends and colleagues shocked. He passed away on Saturday after suffering a cardiac arrest. The actor was hospitalised on Friday after a cardiac arrest. While there were reports of his health deteriorating after taking a jab of the coronavirus vaccine, the Tamil Nadu Health Department refuted the rumours in a press meet.
The private hospital in Chennai, where Vivek, 59, was being treated, said he suffered “an acute coronary syndrome with cardiogenic shock. This is a separate cardiac event. It may not be due to Covid vaccination”.
On Friday, the actor underwent “emergency coronary angiogram followed by angioplasty”, a medical bulletin said. But his condition stayed critical through the day.
The 59-year-old actor made headlines on Thursday for promoting the importance of vaccination to fight the coronavirus. He chose to get vaccinated at a government hospital to spread awareness instead of going to a private hospital.
“The government hospitals provide healthcare services to the majority of poor people. Many have doubts about vaccination and its side effects. There are also several rumours doing the rounds. I want to put an end to all the rumours. I want to show people that there is no danger in getting vaccinated. On the contrary, it will protect us. And it is not like this vaccination will completely prevent us from getting Covid-19 infection. After the vaccination, even if we catch the virus, there won’t be death. So after vaccination, we should still follow the safety guidelines,” Vivek told the media after receiving his first jab of Covid-19 vaccination on Friday.
After his death, AR Rahman, Radikaa Sarathkumar, Mohan Raja and Gautham Karthik among others expressed disbelief. Gautham tweeted, “Not able to believe this… He made us laugh, he educated us through his performances, he cared for this world and helped teach us how to take care of it. There will never be another like you sir. We will miss you. Rest in peace @Actor_Vivek sir #ripvivek.”
The actor is survived by his wife and two daughters. His son passed away a few years ago after suffering from dengue.
On Saturday evening, AR Rahman tweeted, "We have lost a Selfless,most precious jewel of India ...a #climate champion for #ClimateAction who was in the process of planting 10million trees."
Sai Dharam Tej is shocked and saddened to know about Vivek's passing away.
Kajal Aggarwal via Twitter shared, "Deeply saddened by the sudden demise, Heartfelt condolences to Vivek sir’s family."
Raja Yuvan tweeted, "A truly successful person is some one who has made a positive impact in people’s lives, Vivek sir is one of a kind person, he did not only make people laugh with his comedy but also made people think with his wisdom. It is a great loss for us."
"My heart feels heavy as I write this. Vivek sir's passing feels like a personal loss. He was an actor, comedian, environmentalist and a great human being. My deep condolences to vivek sir's family. You will forever be a part of us. May your soul rest in peace," Samantha Akkineni shared on Instagram.
Actor Rakul Preet tweeted, "Shocked and saddened by the passing away of veteran actor #Vivek sir! My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones! May his soul rest in peace."
Music composer S Thaman paid his tribute to Vivek via Twitter. He wrote, "Gem of a Person Gave So Much Confidence & Knowledge He Use to Take Our Stress Out With his jokes .Never felt like We Wr acting With a Senior and Most Experienced Actor In film ( boys ). WE MISS U MANGALAM SIR. Goon too soon."
Arya via Twitter expressed that he is "Heart broken and shattered" to know about the passing away of actor Vivek. "Great loss to the industry and to the society. Such a gem of person. So much he wanted to do for the society. Will miss you sir. Love u sir always," he tweeted.
Filmmaker Shankar Shanmugham tweeted, "Today we lost an amazing actor, wonderful human being and lover of nature: Padma Shri Vivek. His contributions to my films, Tamil Film Industry and to society is immeasurable, so is this loss. May his soul Rest In Peace. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans."
"So saddened by the untimely demise of @Actor_Vivek :( my deepest condolences to his loved ones and friends who shall miss him terribly! A great void shall be seen in the creative world today," Shruti Haasan mentioned via Twitter.
Siddharth mourned the loss of actor Vivek. He wrote, "Bye Sir. Even in death you were too ahead of your time. We will all miss you terribly. There will be laughter and food for thought in the heavens tonight."
Producer Boney Kapoor took to Twitter to pay his last respects to Vivek. The filmmaker shared a photo of his wife and late actor Sridevi with Vivek and wrote, "My wife @sridevibkapoor was a big fan of actor Vivek she had got me hooked to his hilarious acts. Your presence and humour will be missed by all. I pray for strength to his family at this difficult time. #RIPVivek"
Actor Yashika Aannand wrote on Twitter, "We will miss u! You made us laugh throughout our lives and today this news is very shocking to digest . #ripvivek sir . Gone too soon. may his soul rest in peace."
"You will be missed. #RIPVivek" filmmaker Gopichand Malineni tweeted.
Sundeep Kishan tweeted, "You will be missed a lot Sir ?? Thank you for always saying the right things and with a smile on your face ??
Rest in Peace ..."
Tamil Nadu government recently announced that actor Vivek will be laid to rest with full police honours.
Several actors from the south film industry paid their last respects to the late actor Vivek.
Actor Keerthy Suresh paid tribute to actor Vivek in a long note. She wrote, "It is beyond belief that my absolute favourite comedian is no more with us. Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to act with the legend, but will always remember those beautiful enriching conversations that I’ve had with him." She further added, "To the man who made his entire life about making everyone laugh. To the man who integrated moral values into his comedies like no one else could. To the social activist who led by example with his environmental and social initiatives, to the irreplaceable maverick comedian that Tamil cinema will forever miss, Mr Vivekanandan sir rest in peace. #RIPVivekSir."
Harris Jayaraj tweeted, "Lost a very important Artist, Musician and friend. R I P #Vivek"
Abhishek Bachchan says we have lost a legend today as actor Vivek passed away this morning. The Big Bull actor tweeted, "Huge admirer of his work and sheer genius. We’ve lost a legend today. My condolences to Vivek sir’s family, friends and fans. #RIPVivekSir"
Nivetha Thomas shared on Twitter,"You were one of the nicest, kindest people I’ve known in the industry. I will do my part to continue your good work for the society. Rest in peace Vivek sir. #RIPVivekSir."
Actor Vishal is 'devastated' as Vivek passed away. He tweeted, "Devastated that Vivek Sir is no more with us....A True Green Warrior & an Inspiration to many of us....RIP #RIPVivekSir."
"Rest in peace @Actor_Vivek sir. You will be truly missed. Strength to the family," actor Vedhika shared via Twitter,
Actor Kubbra Sait tweeted, "Rest in Peace. @Actor_Vivek ?"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the demise of actor Vivek. Condoling his death he wrote on Twitter, "The untimely demise of noted actor Vivek has left many saddened. His comic timing and intelligent dialogues entertained people. Both in his films and his life, his concern for the environment and society shone through. Condolences to his family, friends and admirers. Om Shanti."
"RIP Vivek! The one person who made us laugh his entire career, your loss is truly breaking our hearts," actor Mammootty shared on Twitter.
Kamal Haasan called the death of actor Vivek a huge loss for the Tamil community. He shared on Twitter, "Friend Vivek always worked for the betterment of the community as a disciple of Kalam, and guardian of the trees. His demise is a great loss to the Tamil community."
Tamannaah Bhatia posted a photo of actor Vivek and wrote on Twitter, "I am deeply saddened by the loss we have encountered. My condolences to the family. You will be dearly missed Vivek Sir. Rest in peace ??"
"I hate waking up to such terrible news u were the reason for so much laughter,so much happiness..its just heart breaking to even think tht u r no more..gone too soon..its a loss not only to our industry but humanity.. u were such a kind n responsible human being
@Actor_Vivek RIP" Varalaxmi Sarathkumar tweeted.
"I was shocked to learn the death of Vivek. He was a dear friend and he showed me a lot of affection. He was a great artist. His demise is a great loss for me and the Tamil film industry," actor Vikram shared.
"Vivek sir ???" actor Dhanush is heartbroken after the demise of actor Vivek.
Many fans of actor Vivek gathered outside his residence in Chennai to pay their tribute to the actor who passed away on Saturday morning.
"RIP Vivek Sir ! ?? something about watching you on screen always made one feel like we’ve known you forever. This is truly heartbreaking," actor Dulquer Salmaan shared on social media.
Music composer Shankar Mahadevan tweeted, "@Actor_Vivek is no more !!! This is devastating !! What an amazing artist and a fun human being ! Your humour kept us going for decades sir .. will miss you ????"
Director-producer Soundarya Rajinikanth also condoled the death of actor Vivek.
"Rest in peace Vivek sir! Privileged to have worked with you. Prayers and condolences to family and friends," actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran wrote on Twitter.
Actor Varsha Bollamma shared on Twitter, "This is extremely shocking!! You were one of the sweetest, funniest, most humble person I have come across. You will be missed, your innocent smile will be missed :( My condolences to the family. #RIPVivek."
Mohanlal shared a photo of late actor Vivek and tweeted, "Heartfelt condolences".
"Such a heart breaking news. We lost such a great legend and this is such a big loss to Indian cinema. Rest in Peace Anna will miss you forever ... Om shanti #RIPVivekSir #ripvivek," Manchu Manoj tweeted.
Rajinikanth took to Twitter to share his condolences for actor Vivek. He wrote, "Jr Kalaivanar, social activist, and my close friend, Vivek. His demise has caused me a lot of pain. I can never forget the time I shared with him during the making of Sivaji. My deep condolences to his family. Let his soul rest in peace."
Actor Sathyaraj shared a video message as he condoled the sudden demise of actor Vivek.
"You were a reason for many smiles and laughters sir. A great comedian, wonderful actor and a socially conscious citizen. Unbearable to think you are not there anymore. Will miss you as one of your fans. #RipVivek sir," actor Vikram Prabhu said via Twitter as he condoled the death of actor Vivek.
Music composer AR Rahman paid tribute to the late actor as he tweeted, "@Actor_Vivek can’t believe you’ve left us ..May you rest in peace ..you’ve entertained us for decades ..your legacy will stay with us."
Actor Vivek's co-actor Aathmika wrote on Twitter, "Shocked beyond words. Couldn’t hold back my tears. God took you from us too soon. Blessed in this lifetime to share a movie with you. Will always treasure the moments shared together. A true legend in the industry. A dark day to cinema! #ripvivek sir."