Kamal's first hug and Rajinikanth's gossip

Several eminent personalities from the Indian film industry, including Superstar Rajinikanth, Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan, Dhanush and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, came together in Mumbai on Wednesday to pay glorious tribute to one of the world's most deserving music directors Ilaiyaraaja.

At the event, organized by director Balki to felicitate Ilaiyaraaja, who has composed music for a 1,000 films, actor Amitabh Bachchan said, "It's an honour to be present here with the wonderful talent around us. Thank you for giving us this opportunity, Raja sir." Speaking on the occasion, Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan said, Out of his 1,000 films, 10 per cent are mine. Today, after 40 years, for the first time I hugged him. I knew that he would reach the 1,000 mark one day."

Another legend, who spoke on the occasion, was Superstar Rajinikanth, who said, "I know Raaja sir from the early '70s. He was very naughty and mischievous then. We used to gossip then. And suddenly, I saw a transformation in Raaja sir which extended to his dressing style. And then, I started calling him Raaja swami. He is a saint now and mata Saraswati lives in him."