Vivekh

April 18, 2021

Bring over all tribute comments to this thread.

April 18, 2021

Chennai Times has reported it.

Too many memories, Vivekh, but primarily, thank you for the laughs.

— Baradwaj Rangan (@baradwajrangan) April 17, 2021

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brangan

April 18, 2021

From vijay:

Vivek had quite a long innings. Folks might not remember that he made his debut as early as 1987 in Manathil Urudhi Vendum(yet another KB intro) He reinvented himself several times over the years, from a guy who was lean, had a funny face and could do some effective mimicry in the late 80s to somebody who could be quite subdued and still make you smile like in some of his recent outings. 2000s was his peak phase. I consider him the last great comedian of our times, having watched most of them. He had an incredible range and his comedy was much more than just social satire(eg. he could effortlessly play the sidekick in movies like Anniyan. Anniyan was watchable in the first half mostly due to Vivek). His puns, timing and frequent references to old tamil classic hit songs in his gigs all set him apart. He did Harris Jayaraj in much before the Alex’es of the world caught up with their standup acts. You need to just dig up some of his rare films from the early 2000s(some of his memorable acts came in obscure films)in youtube when he was in sublime form and you are all set for the rest of the night.

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brangan

April 18, 2021

From Enigma:

Saddened to read about the passing away of Vivekh. He was just brilliant in a number of films in the early noughties, especially Minnale, Run, Anniyan, Sivaji. Praying to God that his family may have the strength during these difficult times. Om Shanthi.

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brangan

April 18, 2021

From Madan:

I am a non discriminating Tamil comedian rasikan except when it comes to the latest Soori/Yogi Babu (who however was superb in Mandela). I like all of them, like different vazhapazhams from the Goundamani/Senthil classic comedy bit.

That said, Vivek was definitely one of my favourites from that group and he will be missed. RIP.

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brangan

April 18, 2021

From KayKay:

RIP dear Vivek. While I always found Vadivelu to be overly loud and crass, and Santhanam a little too smug, you struck a nice balance between caustic wit and social commentary.

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tirukumar

April 18, 2021

Thanks for this opportunity BR.

I recall his wonderful debut in Manathil Uruthi Vendum but did not expect the comedic genius who stole our hearts later. His role in Mani Ratnam’s Alaipayuthey was another peek into the great range he had as an actor.

Like music, comedy has the power to tide us over the lowest points in life. Vivek’s was such comedy – ‘kavalaiyai marakka vaikkira’ kind. I particularly loved his comedy with Dhanush – they were amazing: as Child Chinna & James Pandian (Mappilai) or Emotional Ekambaram (Urbana Puthiran) or Azhagusundram (VIP) or Assault Arumugam (Padikkathavan) – are all on repeat just for the way he does his thing and plays off his co-stars! Sheer magic!

Interestingly so many of his ‘social messages’ have struck a chord with me and evidently have inspired scores of people. For these reasons, it’s my humble opinion that Vivek is the rarest of complete artists who managed to bring about social change, like an MGR did and that to at such a young age! Legend!

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Macaulay Perapulla

April 18, 2021

I shall always joyfully remember Vivek as the man who lectured the world about FTV in “Boys”:) It’s sad we never celebrated the actor Vivek as much as the comedian Vivek. How many of us remember the tongue-tied Vivek in Alaipayuthey? There is a beautiful piece that is yet to be written about his performance in “Boys”. It was a master class on how do you deal with a sensitive topic such as teenagehood, while milking it for laughs. You could get some pale glimpses of it, when he played a similar role in Vicky Donor’s tamizh remake. It’s strange when someone of Vivek’s kind dies. You almost hear his voice in everything. For the past few days, I couldn’t stop listening to that voice which says, “Dey..Ullukkulla 75000 spare parts irukku”. Every time I looked at one of those weird things people hang in front of the lorry/car, he comes alive inside me.

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sanjay2706

April 18, 2021

In a culture that puts Comedy as a separate category and can think of comedy as a “lesser” art, you stood out from the rest. Eulogies can be written, spoken and forgotten. Your eulogy will be filled with the sounds of laughter.

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therag

April 18, 2021

RIP Vivekh.

Vivekh really nailed the “Run” comedy track. His descent from youngster dreaming of making it big in Chennai to Poli-saamiyar was perfectly done. Every step of the descent had some ROFL worthy moments and one-liners.

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krishna prasad

April 18, 2021

Death makes one reflect esp the ones like these where the person was not only at the pinnacle of whatever he/she were doing but also a nice human being. He has not only left a great body of work but also numerous gud deeds and a lyf worthy of emulating. Introduction to Vivek in the 90s ( per cable, pre google des ) was through cds and it was a joy to get hold of a movie where one had a full fledged comedy track ( read minnale etc ). Thank you for laughs and life lessons sir

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An Jo

April 18, 2021

RIP – not quite acquainted with the power that drove the Tamil film Industry; but grateful for his contributions.

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filmarcher

April 18, 2021

Actor Vivekh was the major factor contributing the success of many films. Films like Run and Budget Padmanabhan were hits only because of the comedy in it! He has definitely held up the flagging first or second acts of countless films with his brand of comedy. He was a highly underrated actor. His performance in Naan thaan Bala was sublime! He deserved more roles for that underrated actor in him. Gone too soon!

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Satya

April 18, 2021

People often say that an actor’s death feels like a personal loss. I never understood why. Now I get it… this hit me rather straight on the head and the heart. RIP.

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Anand Raghavan

April 18, 2021

Out of many , one underrated comedy track was with Parthiban and Ramba in Unnaruge naanirindhal. His oneliners as director in his own style was very enjoyable.Om Shanti!!

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karzzexped

April 18, 2021

Believe it or not I had downloaded Vellai Pookal in Prime Video for watching it since my cousin mentioned how floored he was by Vivekh sir’s role.

As I watched it on a Friday evening, I was informed by my parents that he had been admitted to the hospital and is currently in a critical condition. I wanted to finish the movie.

He had once told in an interview that he had become like a still river that flows beneath a waterfall. Watching Vellai Pookal, I could relate to that, his trademark facial twitches, his modulations, his dry and deadpan sarcasm – All there, yet still and calm like the river that flows.

Farewell sir. Respect – for the work you did on screen, but truly your legacy stems from what you’ve done off it.

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Kay

April 18, 2021

As I keep seeing condolence messages and RIPs, the one thing keeps running through my mind is, we can honour him by planting trees. He passed away before his vision was fulfilled but if each one of us – at least the ones who can in terms of resources and space – plants a tree, that would be the best way to remember and honour him. I’m planting a tree next to my house and also a few in our village where we have farm lands.

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vijay

April 18, 2021

Here is, but one sample, of his multifaceted talent. This is a show he did for one of the TV channels, a respectful spoof of Vairamuthu

Going back all the way to the doordarshan days of the late 80s, there may be many like this waiting to be rediscovered. Like most stellar KB finds, he was a well rounded talent with interests beyond just comedy. For instance, his passion for music, often messaging MDs asking them about a particular raag they had used for a song. It seems he had asked Immaan a few days back about a scale he had used in one of his recent hits. He himself was a self-taught amateur keyboard player. And all these other talents or interests definitely found their way to his comedy tracks once ina while making them more wholesome and not one-note.

The serious movie lovers amongst us may sometimes despise separate comedy tracks as the bane of Tamil cinema and something to be done away with.But if they had’nt existed we would’nt have had a Vivek today. (Same as with songs and composers.)

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Yajiv

April 18, 2021

RIP Vivek Sir. It feels like I’ve lost that cool Uncle in my family, one who could always be counted on to liven things up and one who had the rare trifecta of ideals, empathy & humour. I truly wish we had seen more of Vivek the actor (not comedian) in recent years. The industry didn’t utilise his talents to the fullest. His scenes in Brindavanam (the Radha Mohan movie) comes to mind as I feel that was the closest we saw on screen to the real Vivek. You’ll be missed Sir. I hope you are united with your son in the hereafter.

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Heisenberg

April 19, 2021

From FB (Sridhar Subramaniam)

விவேக் ‘ஜனங்களின் கலைஞன்’ மற்றும் ‘சின்னக் கலைவாணர்’ என்ற பட்டப்பெயர்களைத் தாங்கி உலா வந்தவர். கூடவே ‘காலத்தின் கலைஞன்’ என்றும் இன்னொரு பட்டத்தை நான் சேர்க்க விரும்புகிறேன். பொருளாதார தாராளமயம், கணினிப் புரட்சி, நவீனத்துவம் ஆகியவை நிகழ்ந்த இரண்டாயிரங்களின் சமூக நிலையை தனது நகைச்சுவைகளில் பிரதிபலித்தவர். பொருளாதார முன்னேற்றம் கொண்டு வந்த உற்சாகம், அதன் சாத்தியக்கூறுகள் தந்த ஆதர்சம், நவீன உலகில் பழமையில் இருந்து விடுபடுவதன் அவசியங்கள், அவற்றின் அழுத்தங்கள் நவீன இளைஞர்களுக்குக் கொடுத்த ஆயாசங்கள் போன்றவை அவர் கலையில் தொடர்ந்து ஆக்ரோஷமாக வெளிப்பட்டன. அதே நேரம், இந்த ஆக்ரோஷம் அமிதாப்பின் Angry Young Man போல இல்லாமல் Laughing Young Manஆக வெளிப்பட்டது. அவர் நகைச்சுவையில் நாம் சிரிக்கும் பொழுது நமது சமூகத்தையும் பார்த்து சிரித்தோம். நமது சுய அவலங்களையும், நமது பாசாங்குத்தனங்களையும் பார்த்தும் கூட சிரித்தோம்.

அந்த சிரிப்புகளின் பின்னே இருந்த ஆயாசம் மற்றும் அவலம் நம்மை துயரப்படுத்தாமல் சுய பரிசீலனைக்கு உட்படுத்தியது. இப்படி நம்மை மகிழ்வித்தவாறே நாம் மனதையும் மாற்ற முயற்சித்தவர் விவேக். தொண்ணூறுகளின் மற்றும் இரண்டாயிரங்களில் நிகழ்ந்த சமூகப் பொருளாதார மாற்றங்களின் சாட்சியாக திரையில் வாழ்ந்த அதே நேரம், நிஜ வாழ்விலும் சுற்றுச்சூழல், கல்வி போன்றவற்றுக்கு குரல் கொடுத்து அதிலும் மாற்றத்துக்கான கருவியாக தொடர்ந்து இயங்கியவர்.

அப்படிப்பட்ட விவேக் இன்று உயிரோடு இல்லை என்பது பெரும் வருத்தத்தை அளிக்கிறது. அவரின் அகால மரணத்தின் துன்பத்தில் நானும் பங்கெடுத்துக் கொள்கிறேன். அவரை இழந்து வாடும் குடும்பத்தினருக்கும், சக ரசிகர்களுக்கும் ஆழ்ந்த அனுதாபங்கள்.

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kaizokukeshav

April 19, 2021

There an enigma that comes with great comedians. Whenever I think of their faces, the image itself it evokes laughter. Vivek will definitely come under that category. As an audience we will miss him because he has so much more to give to Tamil cinema, RIP.

In Telugu, most great comedians of 2000s have died. (MS Narayana, Jayprakash, Venu Madhav, Sri hari). I am baffled by how most comedians are dying far quicker than others.

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Caesium

April 19, 2021

Uninhibited love & admiration for Vivek – for both onscreen personality & offscreen person!

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ravenus1

April 20, 2021

Like previous commenter vijay says, Vivek was a major reason that Anniyan’s early parts are made bearable (before Vikram transforms into the badass title character). His interactions with Vikram in the train scenes were hilarious. Shankar seemed to appreciate him a lot, also using him in a big way in Boys.

And yes, Vellai Pookal was a different facet of him, showing that he could do subtle and serious acting well too. The movie didn’t entirely hold together but he was quite good.

It’s sad to see someone with a lot of potential go so soon.

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neabs

April 20, 2021

IMHO vivek has created niche in comedy genre which will remain irreplaceable in Tamil cinema. His observational comedy in Run, sammy, Palayathu amman and many such are timeless.

There are even few small budget movie which reached wider audience because of his comedy track. As an ardent fan this feels like a serious loss.

Beyond talent he had a good heart , I guess its rare to find people to take their idols words seriously, he was one among them.

He and his comedy will be badly missed.

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Ravi K

April 21, 2021

As much as we love the stars in our films, it’s the comedians that are dearest to our hearts. Vivek especially was like a hilarious friend or, like Yajiv said, a “cool uncle,” whose wit seemed effortless and infinite.

Vivek used that avuncular quality he had to great effect in the 2001 film “Kutty,” directed by Janaki Viswanathan. He played a maligai kadai owner who was kind and empathetic to the title character. There was a little bit of organic comedy to the role when he first came on-screen but otherwise it was not comedic. He didn’t have much screen time in the film, but what an impact he made! I only saw the movie once, about 20 years ago, and it is still with me. Seems that he was that kind in real life as well.

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KayKay

April 21, 2021

I was rewatching Anniyan and Sivaji, and it just confirms how much wit and charm Vivek brought to them. His exasperated retort to Vikram when the latter expresses shock at having to kiss Sada..”Do you expect me to bring in Kamal saar to do it for you?” is gold! In fact the whole train scenes are so compulsively watchable just for Vivek alone.

In fact, seeing Sivaji, it struck me that Vivek is but one of 4 actors in the film who have sadly passed on.

Raghuvaran, who had settled into a nice Elder Statesman niche in the Industry, would die a year after Sivaji’s release, at the age of 59

The great Cocheen Haniffa, who would pass on 3 years later in 2010, also at the age of 59

Manivannan, who was also settling into the Comedic Sidekick/Support Role phase of his career, would die in 2013, a month shy of his 60th birthday

And now Vivek..dead at 59.

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Ravi

April 21, 2021

@KayKay “Raghuvaran, who had settled into a nice Elder Statesman niche in the Industry, would die a year after Sivaji’s release, at the age of 59”

Correction – Raghuvaran was only 49 when he passed away in 2008.

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KayKay

April 23, 2021

Ravi, current stats on Raghuvaran:

Born: December 11, 1948, Kollengode
Died: March 19, 2008, Chennai, India

That would make him 59 when he died

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Aman Basha

April 23, 2021

Despite watching him mainly in dubbed films, Vivek was always fun to watch, and it’s hard to imagine anyone sitting through Sivaji’s first half if not for him. RIP.

His last film was supposed to be Indian 2, wonder if he even finished shooting for it? If not, only adds to the mountain load of problems that one’s facing.

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The Ghost Who Walks

April 23, 2021

There is something about losing people like Vivekh and SPB. They weren’t just beloved on screen, but for people like me, there was something about them that made them some one to aspire to even in what they were offscreen. I hope their wit, grace and ideals are remembered as fondly as their professional achievements.

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Yajiv

April 23, 2021

@KayKay:

Not sure where you got your information from but I’m going by the Hindustan Times obit that came out on Raghuvaran’s death that states that he was 49 when he died. Here’s an archived version of it (the original isn’t available anymore): https://web.archive.org/web/20081212134325/http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?id=8305be9a-d217-4636-a749-584a567e2614&MatchID1=4678&TeamID1=6&TeamID2=3&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1179&PrimaryID=4678&Headline=Actor+Raghuvaran+passes+away

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Ravi K

April 23, 2021

Aman Basha, I read today that Vivek didn’t complete his scenes for Indian 2, so Shankar will have to reshoot them. I wonder if there’s a way to include Vivek’s footage, and edit/rewrite so that reshooting his character isn’t necessary, but perhaps not.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/indian-2-shankar-to-reshoot-late-actor-viveks-scenes/articleshow/82195761.cms

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KayKay

April 24, 2021

Yajiv,
https://www.oneindia.com/2008/03/19/actor-raghuvaran-passes-away-1205908651.html

Many sites give his year of birth as 1948 which would have made him 59 when he passed away.

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Nimmi Rangaswamy

April 24, 2021

Raghuvaran was 49 when he died

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raghuvaran.

There is a DoB reporting error in some of the pages

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MumbaiRamki

April 24, 2021

I just wanted to add one thing – It was first time in my life that I saw a movie thrice for a comedian, but not for his parts but to live the reel fanboy moments through the Protagonist in Brindavanam( watched 3 times last year). That ArulNithi is me ( and many of us) . Very sad sir . Will miss you.

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Ravi

April 25, 2021

@kaykay I don’t trust wiki blindly. My memory is still very reliable. Raghuvaran made his debut in Yezhavadhu Manidhan in the early 80s. If wiki is right for his 1948 DOB, that puts his age around mid-30s and that’s not correct. It is 1958.

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shaviswa

April 26, 2021

@Ravi K

That is if Shankar gets to complete Indian 2. 😉

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Jayram

April 26, 2021

@KayKay and @Ravi, Rohini confirmed Raghuvaran’s YOB is 1958: https://twitter.com/Rohinimolleti/status/1072385744776413184?s=20

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Ravi

April 27, 2021

@Jayram. Thanks. I can sleep easy now 🙂

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KayKay

May 3, 2021

And the film Sivaji now logs yet another casualty…cinematographer KV Anand…another victim of this wretched pandemic.

RIP

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Purple Sky

May 3, 2021

I grew up watching Vivekh sir’s comedy. If anybody asks me who is your favorite comedian, I didn’t have to think twice about my answer. Apart from the movies mentioned here, I even liked him in Saamy, VIP, Meesaya Murukku. The word “love waves”, “mind voice” are part of my vocabulary thanks to him. It deeply saddened me to hear about his demise and just goes to show how peoples life can be touched whether you know it or not… Thank you sir for all the laughs you have given us. Thank you sir for believing change can be brought through laughter. Thank you sir for trying to lead an exemplary life. Om Shanti.

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Voldemort

May 13, 2021

This is very late, nevertheless.

That stuttering thai maman in Alaipayuthey (he was lovely as the guy who loves the girl but wants the best for her, which he realizes is not him), Assault Arumugam in Padikathavan (the only watchable parts of that movie), in Sivaji, Anniyan, and countless amazing roles in movies in which his comedy tracks were the only memorable parts. Like so many others have said his dialogues have become part of our daily lives.

He has lived a truly inspiring life. Something all of us can look up to, always. Even a day before his death, he got a shot of the vaccine and gave an interview as to why he wanted to get vaccinated in a government hospital and how important it is to get vaccinated.

There is this scene in a pretty crappy Sundar C movie where he acts like a strong guy when he is being beaten up (IIRC). On questioned then why his eyes had tears if he was strong he has this to tell – “Athu vali, vera department”. That’s how we’d feel watching his jokes hereafter.

Rest in peace sir. We will miss your “adapavigala”.

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