CHENNAI: Popular Tamil cinema actor and comedian Vivek (pix, left) passed away in the ear;y hours of this morning after undergoing a heart procedure. The actor was admitted to the intensive care unit of a Chennai hospital after complaining of chest pains on Friday morning.
The 59-year-old actor died due to an acute coronary syndrome.
Vivek started his career as an assistant director and script writer with veteran director K. Balachandar in the 1980s and started his acting career in Balachandar’s film Manathil Urudhi Vendum in 1987.
However his impeccable comic timing and the way he uttered his dialogues made him one of the most sought after comedians in the 1990s and 2000s.
Over the years he made a mark not only as an actor and comedian but also as a singer, TV host and social activist while balancing out a busy career in the Tamil film industry.
The actor has performed at several live events in Malaysia and has a huge fan following here.
In 2009, the Government of India bestowed him the Padma Shri award (the third highest civilian honour) for his contribution to the arts.
