The Tamil film industry lost a talented actor on Thursday as veteran actor Vijayakanth breathed his last on Thursday. The 71-year-old passed away after being diagnosed with COVID-19 and pneumonia.

Messages of condolences have been pouring in for the actor-politician whose mortal remains have been kept at the DMDK headquarters. Swarms of people have gathered there to pay respects to their beloved captain and star.

Director and actor SA Chandrasekhar, who has worked with Vijayakanth in 15 films, shared a voice note from Dubai after missing to attend the actor's last rites, said that he is praying for his soul to rest in peace.

The voice note, which also has snapshots of the actor and director, said, "I have been wanting to meet, warmly hug and kiss my dear friend Vijayakanth when he was alive for the past two years. However, I tried and failed. I don't know. May be God didn't want me to see him now in this condition. I am currently in Dubai. It is the end of an era for the film industry as well as in politics. I don't know what else to do apart from crying during this painful time. I pray to God that his soul rests in peace."

SA Chandrasekhar's second directorial Sattam Oru Iruttarai marked the director's first film with Vijayakanth. The director and actor are very close friends and have great respect for each other.