Popular Tamil actor Vivek has been admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Chennai after he suffered a heart attack on Friday morning, The Indian Express reported. 

“Actor Padma Shri Dr. Vivek was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state by 11:00 am today to the emergency 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 ECMO in the Intensive Care Unit,” read the press note from the SIMS hospital.

Incidentally, Vivek received his first dose of Covid-19 vaccination on Thursday. And the news about Vivek’s hospitalisation today had caused concerns on social media. “This is an acute coronary syndrome with cardiogenic shock. This is a separate Cardiac event. It may not be due to COVID vaccination,” the hospital added. 

Earlier today, Vivek’s spokesperson informed the media that his health has improved since morning. “Vivek fainted today morning while he was talking with his family. Later, he was rushed to SIMS hospital in Vadapalani. I spoke with him. He is conscious and will gain good health soon. The doctors will perform an angiogram on him,” said PRO Nikhil Murugan.

The 59-year-old actor made headlines on Thursday for his efforts to remove the fear of vaccination among the public. Instead of going to a private hospital, he chose to get vaccinated at a government hospital to spread awareness.

“The government hospitals provide healthcare services to the majority of poor people. Many have doubts about vaccination and its side effects. There are also several rumours doing the rounds. I want to put an end to all the rumours. I want to show people that there is no danger in getting vaccinated. On the contrary, it will protect us. And it is not like this vaccination will completely prevent us from getting Covid-19 infection. After the vaccination, even if we catch the virus, there won’t be death. So after vaccination, we should still follow the safety guidelines,” he told the media after receiving his first jab of Covid-19 vaccination. 

Vivek was launched by legendary filmmaker K Balachander in the late 1980s. He went on to become one of the most sought after comedy actors of Tamil cinema in the 1990s and continues to retain a stronghold in the industry. He made a mark as a comedian with social responsibility.

Vivek was last seen in Dharala Prabhu, which was the Tamil remake of the Hindi film Vicky Donor. And he is also part of director Shankar’s upcoming film Indian 2, which stars Kamal Haasan in the lead role.