Tamil actor Vivek passed away in the Chennai Hospital early on Saturday morning having a cardiac arrest. The actor was 59 years old.

Vivek was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital on Friday Morning after he suffered a heart attack. Soon after he fell sick, there were claims that his illness was linked to him receiving the Covid19 vaccine, following which the Tamil Nadu Health Department was forced to call a press meet to dispel the rumors.

While Denying any links between his cardiac arrest and the Covid19 Vaccine shot which he received, the State Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan said around 830 people were administered the Corona vaccine at the same hospital on Thursday and all of them were fine.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami conveyed his condolences and said that “it is an irreparable loss to the Tamil film industry.”

Superstar Rajnikanth took to his Twitter account to offer his condolences on the demise of actor Vivek. Rajnikanth shared a tweet in Tamil, where he recalled the time he spent with Vivek during the 2007 film Shivaji.

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.”

#RipVivek pic.twitter.com/MSYVv9smsY

— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) April 17, 2021

Vivek and Rajinikanth were friends beyond work as Vivek had attended Soundarya Rajinikanth’s wedding. He had also taken to Twitter in early April to congratulate Rajinikanth on winning the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Rajinikanth and Vivek worked together in S. Shankar’s Sivaji: The Boss (2007), P. Vasu’s Uzhaippali (1993), and K. Balachander’s Manathil Urudhi Vendum (1987).

As soon as the news of Vivek’s demise emerged online, celebrities across industries took to social media to pay their tribute.

A R Rahman tweeted, “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 can’t believe you’ve left us ..May you rest in peace ..you’ve entertained us for decades ..your legacy will stay with us🌹

— A.R.Rahman #99Songs 😷 (@arrahman) April 17, 2021

Radikaa Sarathkumar posted on Twitter, “Shocked beyond words @Actor_Vivek. So many wonderful memories and moments shared with you keep rushing into my head. My heart goes out to your family,#RIp dear friend.”

Mohan Raja shared on Twitter, “Shocking n still unable to believe that this legend is no more. Memories of Working with him in Mkumaran will always be treasured. Deep condolences to the family.”

Vivek was launched by legendary filmmaker K Balachander in the late 1980s. He went on to become one of the most sought-after comedy actors of Tamil cinema in the 1990s and retained a stronghold in the industry.

Vivek was last seen in Dharala Prabhu, which was the Tamil remake of the Hindi film Vicky Donor.