- Or Narayanan Vijayaraj Alagarswamy.
- Tamil Nadu’s actor-turned politician.
- Passed away – Dec 28, 2023 (71).
- Was called ‘Puratchi Kalingar’ (revolutionary artist).
- Was known as Raja of B and C Class theaters’.
- Initially, was more popular in rural TN.
- 4-decade+ film career. 150+ films.
- 2005. Ventured into politics. Mean less films. More politics.
- A lukewarm success in films. Means, politics got a larger share on platter.
- Films with ‘political message’. The road to political career.
- 2005. Aug 14. Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) announced. Madurai.
- 2006. TN assembly election. Contested (234). Won (1 – Vijayakanth). Vote share (8%).
- 2009. Lok Sabha election. Vote share (10.3%). TN’s 3rd largest party.
- 2011. AIADMK alliance. TN assembly polls. Contested (41). Won (29).
- 2014. Lok Sabha polls. NDA = BJP + DMDK + smaller parties.
- Was called ‘Karuppu (Black) MGR’.
- 2016. TN assembly polls. Humiliating loss. DMDK + Left parties.
- Born. August 25, 1952. Madurai. Tamil Nadu.