Superstar Rajinikanth's long time friend and the former executive of his Rajini Makkal Mandram, V.M Sudhakar away this morning after battling ill health. He was an ardent fan of Rajini right from the legendary actor's first film. He had been suffering from a cancer in the kidneys for the past few months and was being treated in the hospital. A few months back rumours spread on social media that Rajinikanth did not help for the treatment.

Sudhakar had posted a clarification on social media "Our leader actually took care of my entire medical expenses for the past one year for my kidney cancer treatment without a second thought. Till now he is the only one providing financial and moral support for which our entire family will be eternally grateful,”

Rajinikanth took to Twitter to condole the passing away of his friend writing in Tamil "I am deeply saddened by the passing away of my dear friend VM Sudhakar. My deepest condolences to his family and all who are bereaved. May his soul rest in peace.

என்னுடைய அருமை நண்பர் வி.எம்.சுதாகர் நம்மை விட்டுப் பிரிந்தது எனக்கு மிகவும் வருத்தமளிக்கிறது. அவரை இழந்து வாடும் அவருடைய குடும்பத்தினருக்கும் மற்றும் அனைவருக்கும் என் ஆழ்ந்த அனுதாபங்கள். அவர் ஆத்மா சாந்தியடையட்டும். @SudhakarVM

— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) January 6, 2023