Reputed actor Padma Shri Vivek has passed away at the age of 59 in the morning hours of Saturday in Chennai due to cardiac arrest. He breathed his last at 4.35 am on Saturday, a day after his sudden hospitalization. The untimely demise has immensely shocked everyone across and beyond the borders and tributes have been pouring in for the demised soul, who etched his comedies in a unique dimension. 

Vivek was hospitalized in Chennai on Friday after he suffered a cardiac arrest and breathing discomforts. On Thursday, he took his first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine and after developing health discomforts, he was rushed to SIMS Hospital in Vadapalani, Chennai. He was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state by his family members including his wife and daughter. 

He was moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and spelled to be in a critical condition. He was placed under ECMO support as he battled for life. Several celebrities and political leaders have extended their prayers to the Padma Shri laureate as he battled for survival. On Friday, the hospital issued an official statement concerning his health condition in which it has said, "He is currently in critical condition on ECMO in the Intensive Care Unit. This is an acute coronary syndrome with cardiogenic shock. This is a separate Cardiac event. It may not be due to COVID vaccination".

Amid the prayers and wishes from the people for his speedy recovery, Vivek has passed away in the wee hours of Saturday, leaving the fans and entire cinema industry to grief. The hospital said that he had breathed his last at 4.35 am. His loss was indeed huge havoc for the cinema industry and for society as he has garnered an immense reputation for his unparalleled contribution towards art and society. 

Vivek was very keen on sowing a change in society and he ensured that his role as a comedian won't end till bringing a smile on people's faces but also seeded a social reformation. His selfless work towards the industry and society had honored him with the Padma Shri award, India's fourth-highest civilian honor. He has gifted everlasting comedies and inspiring life to us. 

As a protege of former Indian President Bharat Ratna Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, he has launched the 'Green Kalam' initiative to promote awareness to work against Global Warming. This initiative was aimed to plant trees and he has planted over 33 lakh saplings across the state. He also had campaigned about the awareness and measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and he was one of the faces that the Tamil Nadu government displayed to create awareness about Dengue. 

Vivek was introduced to the cinema by legendary director Balachander who had introduced Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. In a career spanning over three decades, Vivek has acted in hundreds of movies, and finally, he acted in Dharala Prabhu which was released in 2020. Also known as Chinna Kalaivaanar, Vivek has received several accolades for his contribution. He has received Filmfare awards and the Tamil Nadu State Awards and in 2009, he received Padma Shri for his contribution to the Indian Cinema. 

The 59-year-old actor was surviving with his wife and daughter. In 2015, he lost his son Prasanna Kumar to dengue and he has now breathed his last, leaving incessant dusk to the cinema industry. Gone too soon, Rest in peace Padma Shri Vivek.