We all remember actor Vivek from films like Sivaji and Bigil. With his impeccable comic timing, expressive performances, and socially conscious humour, he made millions laugh. But beyond cinema, Vivek dedicated a significant part of his life to a cause that would outlive him—planting trees. The journey began in 2010 when former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, threw him a challenge. Impressed by Vivek’s socially relevant comedy, Kalam urged the actor to use his popularity for a larger purpose: plant 1 crore trees. What seemed like an impossible task to many became a personal mission for Vivek.One chat with Abdul Kalam gave Vivek a purpose in lifeWhen Vivek passed away in 2021 following a massive cardiac arrest, his close friend K Abdul Ghani recalled the conversation that changed the actor’s life forever. Speaking to The Times of India, Ghani said, “I remember the meeting with Dr Kalam. He told actor Vivek about watching his comedies, which were socially relevant. He then asked the latter why he didn’t consider taking up a social initiative like planting trees. And that inspired Vivek to start the tree-planting initiative.”To honour that promise, Vivek often turned down film offers because of prior commitments to tree-planting drives.Ghani further recalled, “Once Vivek invited Dr Kalam to come for a tree-planting drive. Kalam replied that he would attend when the actor completed planting 10 lakh trees.”10 lakh trees challenge to meet KalamThat challenge became Vivek’s immediate goal. Determined to have Kalam participate in one of his drives, Vivek planted an astonishing 13 lakh saplings within a year of launching the Green Kalam initiative. In 2011, he organised a massive plantation event in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, a region severely affected by Cyclone Thane. The event was attended and blessed by the former President himself.“They chose Cuddalore because a lot of trees were uprooted following Cyclone Thane,” Ghani said.ALSO READ | Katrina Kaif gives rare look at son Vihaan, quiet life with Vicky Kaushal. See photosStory continues below this adNext goal: 1 crore treesAt the event, Kalam set an even bigger target for the actor: plant one crore trees. Addressing the media at the time, Vivek said, “It has been a year since I started the Green Kalam initiative. When Abdul Kalam shared the idea of visiting schools and colleges and planting saplings, I took it a little too seriously. So far, I have planted 13 lakh saplings. My appeal is that trees are very important. We can combat global warming through them. It is important to plant more trees.”To achieve the ambitious goal, Vivek worked tirelessly through the Sai Prasanna Foundation, named after his son Prasanna, whom he tragically lost to brain fever in 2016. He travelled extensively across Tamil Nadu, spreading awareness about environmental conservation, climate change, and the importance of tree plantations among students and young people.Following his son’s death, Vivek also became actively involved in public health awareness campaigns, including initiatives aimed at combating dengue.‘He lived up to Swami Vivekananda’s words’Recalling Vivek’s unwavering commitment, V Ponraj, scientific advisor to Abdul Kalam, told The Hindu, “Dr Kalam had casually asked him to campaign against global warming through his movies. I was also part of the inauguration of the Green Kalam project. Vivek would have planted about 50 lakh saplings through various initiatives. He truly lived up to Swami Vivekananda’s words on dreams: ‘Make that one idea your life—think of it, dream of it, live on that idea.'”Story continues below this adBorn as Vivekanandan in the small village of Perunkottur in Tamil Nadu’s Tenkasi district, Vivek began his career as a stand-up comedian at the Madras Humour Club. During one of his performances, he caught the attention of legendary filmmaker K Balachander, who gave him his first break in cinema.Vivek might have left, but his purpose hasn’tThough Vivek is no longer with us, the mission he embraced continues to thrive. His close friend, manager, and fellow actor Cell Murugan regularly organises plantation drives to carry forward the Green Kalam movement. Several actors, including Vaibhav Reddy and Aathmika, continue participating in memorial sapling drives. Numerous non-profit organisations and educational institutions across Tamil Nadu also conduct large-scale plantation campaigns in his honour.Vivek built his cinematic legacy by turning social issues into humour. Yet, perhaps his greatest contribution was outside the spotlight—spending over a decade inspiring people to plant trees, protect the environment, and think beyond themselves. Long after his final curtain call, the seeds he planted continue to grow.Jyothi Jha is an incisive Copy Editor and multi-platform journalist at The Indian Express, where she specializes in high-stakes entertainment reporting and cinematic analysis. With over six years of diverse experience across India’s leading media houses, she brings a rigorous, ethics-first approach to digital storytelling and editorial curation. Experience & Career Jyothi’s career is characterized by its breadth and depth across the media landscape. Before joining the editorial team at The Indian Express, she honed her expertise covering the entertainment beat for premier national broadcasters, including NDTV, Republic Media, and TV9. Her professional journey is not limited to digital text; she has a proven track record as an on-air anchor and has successfully managed production teams within the high-pressure segments of Politics and Daily News. This 360-degree view of newsroom operations allows her to navigate the complexities of modern journalism with veteran precision. Expertise & Focus Areas Guided by the Orwellian principle that "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want you to do," Jyothi focuses on transparent, accountability-driven reporting. Her core areas of expertise include: Cinematic Deconstruction: Analyzing the social subtext of mainstream Bollywood and South Indian cinema (e.g., Kantara, Masaan, Dabangg). Toxic Masculinity & Gender Studies: A vocal critic of regressive tropes in Indian cinema, she often highlights the industry's treatment of women and social progress. Box Office & Industry Economics: Providing data-backed predictions and analysis of film performance and superstar fee structures. Exclusive Multimedia Coverage: Conducting deep-dive interviews and long-form features that bridge the gap between archival history and modern pop culture. Authoritativeness & Trust Jyothi Jha has established herself as a trusted voice by prioritizing substance over PR-driven narratives. Her background in hard news and political production provides her with a unique lens through which she views the entertainment industry—not merely as gossip, but as a reflection of societal values. Readers rely on her for "Journalism of Courage," knowing her critiques are rooted in a deep respect for the craft and a refusal to settle for superficiality. Her ability to pivot between daily news and specialized entertainment analysis makes her a versatile and authoritative pillar of The Indian Express newsroom. ... Read MoreClick here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.Tags:tamil cinema