Tamil actor and comedian Vivekh was admitted to a Chennai hospital on Friday after he suffered a cardiac arrest. He died on Saturday morning. Vivekh was put on ECMO support in the Intensive Care Unit. The 59-year-old actor reportedly fainted after expressing discomfort and his family rushed him to the SIMS Hospital at Vadapalani at around 11 am. A senior doctor from the hospital had told NDTV on Friday: "Actor Vivek is now on ECMO support. We are reviving his heart and lungs." On Thursday, Vivekh received a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a government hospital. However, the senior doctor from the hospital where the actor was being treated had told NDTV that they "don't suspect any connection to vaccination at this stage." A bulletin from the hospital said on Friday: "He was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state by 11:00 am, today by the family members. He was resuscitated in the emergency room by specialists. Later, he underwent Emergency Coronary Angiogram followed by Angioplasty. He is currently in critical condition on Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygen 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," it added.
Apart from an actor and a comedian, Vivekh was also a playback singer and an activist working in the Tamil film industry. He was known for his performances in films such Run (2002), Saamy (2003) and Perazhagan (2004).
Vivekh featured in supporting roles in films such as Kaadhal Mannan, Unnai Thedi, Vaali, Kannedhirey Thondrinal, Poomagal Oorvalam, Aasaiyil Oru Kaditham, Alaipayuthey, Mugavaree, Dumm Dumm Dumm and Paramasivan. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for his performance in the 2004 film Perazhagan.
The actor was last seen playing a role in Dharala Prabhu, which is a Tamil remake of the 2012 Hindi film Vicky Donor that starred Ayushmann Khurrana. His next film will be Kamal Haasan's Indian 2.
The actor took an active interest in tree sapling plantations to increase green cover in the state.
The actor was honoured with the Padma Shri Award.