Veteran Tamil actor and politician Vijayakanth has reportedly undergone surgery at a private hospital in Chennai and had his three toes amputated due to high blood sugar levels. The General Secretary of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) is currently on the road to recovery and is said to be making progress in his health. Lovingly called by fans as 'Captain', Vijayakanth has been battling health issues over the past few years and would visit the hospital for treatment for medical checkups on a frequent basis. An official statement from the DMDK chief's office and his wife Premalatha is expected to be made soon as fans await to hear about the health status of the beloved actor-politician.

ரத்தத்தில் சர்க்கரை அளவு அதிகமாகி உடல்நிலை கடுமையாக பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள காரணத்தால், திடீர் அறுவை சிகிச்சை என தகவல். #GalattaNews 📢#Vijayakanth #Captain #CaptainVijayakanth #DMDK https://t.co/vA2vZq3yst

— Galatta Media (@galattadotcom) June 21, 2022

Vijayakanth had taken a backseat in recent years due to his health issues and has not been seen being active on the political front. As for his on-screen roles, the iconic action star has been seen in only two films in the last decade starting with Virudhagiri (2010), which he directed while appearing in a cameo in his son Shanmuga Pandian's acting debut Sagaptham (2015). Vijayakanth has since been reported to be a part of composer turned actor Vijay Antony's upcoming film, Mazhai Pidikatha Manithan, directed by Vijay Milton of Goli Soda and 10 Endrathukulla fame. If indeed the Tamil cinema stalwart does make an appearance in the upcoming Vijay Antony-starrer, which also has Sarathkumar in a crucial role, it would make his return to acting after a gap of 6 six years.

In the 2021 Tamil Nadu State Elections, Vijayakanth's DMDK had contested in 60 constituencies, in alliance with the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), but failed to register a single victory collecting only 0.43% of votes. Vijayakanth's most successful stint on the political front is considered to be as the leader of the opposition during Late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa's tenure from 2011-2016.