CHENNAI, April 17 — Popular Indian actor, comedian and activist Vivekanandan died in a hospital here early this morning, local media reported.
Born in Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu, Vivek was rushed to the hospital on Friday by his wife and daughter after he collapsed following complaints of chest pain.
According to the Times of India, 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 an ECMO support in the intensive care unit. “He passed away at 4.35am,” a medical bulletin from the hospital said, according to Times of India.
Vivekanandan, known by his stage name Vivek, was an Indian film actor, comedian, television personality, playback singer and activist working in the Tamil film industry.
He has a high fan base in Malaysia and is known for his outrageous humour and witty, wise cracks often aimed at political leaders of India.
Vivek was also known, although to a lesser extent, for his activism in the environmental area. A huge fan of the late Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam, he has planted over 330,000 trees in India.
–WE