Chennai: Celebrated Tamil actor Vivekh known for his sharp wit and social work passed away at SIMS Hospital in the city early on Saturday. The 59-year-old actor was admitted to the hospital on Friday after suffering a massive cardiac arrest.

Scores of fans bid him a tearful adieu as his body was cremated with state police’s 24-gun salute. The Tamil Nadu government said the honour was in recognition of his contribution to the film world and his social service. The actor is survived by wife and two daughters. Vivekh’s teenage son had died years ago.

The Padma Shri awardee has acted in more than 200 movies along with most of the leading Kollywood stars, including Rajinikanth. He has won state awards as best comedian for movies such as “Run,”, “Anniyan” and “Sivaji”. The actor has been a life-long campaigner for planting trees through ‘green Kalam movement’ and has been the state’s ambassador for popularizing public health messages, including prevention of dengue.

PM and scores of other dignitaries condoled his demise. On Friday, he was taken to the emergency room in an unconscious state around 11 am by his wife and daughter after he complained of discomfort. He underwent an angioplasty and stenting procedure and was put on an ECMO support in the intensive care unit. “He passed away at 4.35 am on Saturday,” hospital vice-president Dr Raju Sivasamy said.

The actor had taken Covaxin at Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital on Thursday. He told reporters that he had come to a government hospital with his team to encourage people to take the vaccine. The same day, for the first time the number of doses administered crossed 2-lakh mark. While a committee for Adverse event following immunization (AEFI) comprising doctors and scientists will hold detailed investigation into the cause of death and its possible links with the vaccine, but preliminary reports show the attack was not related to the vaccination, but acute coronary syndrome with a cardiogenic shock. Hundreds of fans, actors, directors and political leaders visited his house to pay their respects.